Deciding on a career path can be daunting, especially for students early in their post-secondary education. BDO USA, PC offers a unique opportunity for students to participate in a one-on-one mentoring program and explore a variety of career options through its Pathway to Success Program. This program is designed to provide mentorship and personalized career guidance, while giving students a forum to ask questions related to their educational programming and future career goals.

The Importance of Mentorship

Bernie Pieters, BDO’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and People & Culture Principal, reflects on the power of mentorships, “Mentorship contributes to an individual’s personal and professional development. When you willingly and joyfully mentor others, you create a legacy of leaders.”   

What sets BDO’s Pathway to Success apart is the exclusive mentor/mentee pairing. Students are matched with a dedicated BDO professional who volunteers their time to assist with career exploration. This relationship allows students to ask questions, bounce ideas, and seek advice on educational programming, major selection, and career exploration. The goal is to foster a relationship that continues long after the six-month commitment.

Sarah Turcotte, BDO’s National Campus Recruiting Leader, emphasizes that the program is open to both freshmen and sophomores, offering them insights into the profession and preparing them for future internships. She notes, “Really the primary purpose is educational and giving back, trying to help students find the best path for them as individuals and exposing them to new areas they may have an interest in.”

Open to All

The program is open to any freshman or sophomore, regardless of university affiliation, major, GPA, or extracurricular involvement. There are no barriers to entry, making it an authentic initiative to give back to the community and guide future professionals into majors and careers that best fit them.

Discover BDO and Yourself

Participants have the chance to learn about BDO, its roles, business lines, clients, and company culture. More importantly, they gain insights into themselves and what they should seek in their educational and professional careers. No prior experience is needed, and BDO provides resources and guidance on starting and maintaining successful mentorship relationships.

Sarah highlights the benefits, stating, “It’s personal growth and development. If they are looking to be engaged with BDO, there’s an added benefit to getting in our pipeline early. Even if they choose a different path, the experience they gain will serve them throughout their careers.”

A Two-Way Relationship

The program emphasizes the importance of relationships. BDO professionals dedicate their time to nurture and mentor early-career individuals, but it requires participants to engage actively as well. The more effort students put into the program, the more they will benefit.

Amritpal Gill, a former mentee, shares his experience: “I remember frantically applying for internships around my sophomore year. I wasn’t completely sure of what I was doing but when doing my research, BDO was the only firm that I knew of that had a mentorship program.”

Through BDO’s Pathway to Success Program, Gill was paired with Laura Anna Lisi.  Gill and Lisi had similar interests and through Lisi, Gill learned about the firm and developed a lasting relationship. Lisi was working on the same types of clients Gill had a curiosity in and they bonded over shared interests. “BDO paired me with a professional that I had commonalities with. Through Laura, I learned about the firm and when it came time to apply for an internship, I wasn’t just cold applying. I knew where I wanted to be…it was always interesting and exciting.”

Lisi, an Assurance Principal at BDO, reflects on her role as a mentor: “Pathway to Success is a wonderful program. Ultimately, real success is dependent upon the mentor and mentee forming a relationship. Amritpal and I formed a relationship, and I enjoyed helping him define his path. A lot of my success was due to forming relationships with a lot of people and networking.”

Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Application

The Pathway to Success Program is not just about selecting a career or major; it’s a transformative experience that teaches students how their education translates into a professional career. Gill, for example, entered the program unsure about his future. Paired with Lisi, he discovered potential career paths and gained clarity on his professional journey.

Amritpal reflects on his relationship with Lisi: “Whenever I would reach out…knowing how busy she was…she always made time. That’s what allowed me to build a relationship.”

The Pathway to Success program’s structure and objectives are designed to attract top talent and prepare individuals for internships. The interviews highlighted the program’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion, ensuring a diverse pool of candidates and creating meaningful relationships.

BDO’s Pathway to Success Program offers a gateway to success, providing students with the tools and relationships needed to thrive in their careers. These skills will be beneficial throughout the duration of their career. 

Whether you’re looking to clarify your major or explore different professional opportunities, this program is your steppingstone to a successful future. To learn more about BDO and their Pathway to Success Program, visit their WayUp profile and their website here.

The post Beyond the Books: Mentorship and Guidance with BDO’s Pathway to Success Program appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve found the dream job or internship. Whether or not you know someone at the company, it’s in your best interest to invest time in connecting with folks working there; it could be a difference maker in landing a new career opportunity. 

Chiara, a recruiter for Capital One’s Students & Grads Programs, is here to help you connect and build relationships by sharing her three tips for networking. 

Take a strategic approach

It’s absolutely crucial to do your research! You want to connect with someone through a common interest or a mutual colleague or friend. Of course, LinkedIn can be a great place to start, but consider finding people through other platforms.

Capital One’s Business Resource Groups (BRG)—voluntary, associate-led groups for cultural celebration, community service and professional development—are great ways to expand your network. Many BRGs sponsor and attend career fairs and student conferences, so be on the lookout for them! 

National organizations and societies are also great for meeting people. Connect with groups that share your identity or professional interest, like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Rewriting the Code—both of which are Capital One partners. The groups are like your secret weapon for networking, finding resources and getting tailor-made support for your academic and/or professional journey.

Have a plan

First things first: Use the “S.E.E.” method when meeting someone. That stands for smile, eye contact and enthusiasm. The S.E.E. method can help set the stage for a great conversation prior to giving your elevator pitch. 

As for the elevator pitch, think of it as being three parts. Say what you do, what makes you unique and either how you can help them or how they can help you. Practice your pitch beforehand to ensure it flows smoothly and feels natural.  

As that initial conversation is wrapping up, be sure to get their contact info so you can send a personalized thank you email or LinkedIn message referencing something specific from the conversation. Lastly, follow up with them periodically, whether it’s sharing relevant articles, inviting them to events or simply checking in to see how they’re doing. 

Be authentic

Remember, being yourself is the key to building meaningful connections. 

Don’t try to impress by pretending to be someone you’re not. It can be easy to get caught up in the job or internship search and force yourself to pursue an opportunity that doesn’t feel true to you. You should be building relationships that last beyond one meeting. It’s easier for someone to mentor you or be your advocate when they truly know you and your passions.

People are more likely to remember and connect with the real you.

Head over to Capital One’s profile to learn more about the company and browse open roles, upcoming events, and more.

The post A Capital One recruiter’s 3 networking tips for students appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s that time of the year again: National Intern Day! Created by WayUp in 2017, this holiday focuses on celebrating and appreciating the future leaders of the world…interns! NID has gained widespread popularity thanks to media coverage from Good Morning America, multiple Forbes articles, (see here), (and most recently here), participation from companies like NASA, Google, and hundreds of smaller companies every year. This year National Intern Day falls on July 31st, 2024 and we hope everyone is ready to celebrate.

Every year, WayUp and Yello publish both The Top 100 Intern Program list and the Top 100 Intern List, selecting 100 interns, with one honored as the #1 Top Intern of 2024. You might be thinking, “there’s no chance I’m making it” but believe it or not, any intern can be named the “TOP” intern of the year or make the Top 100 Intern List. It’s true, you don’t have to be a superstar, a superhero, or a celebrity. You just have to be yourself -a hard working, dedicated individual. Don’t believe us? Just check out our previous winners here. The 2024 nomination form is CLOSED.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Have been an intern between September 2023 and August 2024
2. Submit your nomination by August 8th, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

Tips & Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who is eligible for nomination of 2024 Top Intern?
   1. Anyone who has been an intern between September 2023 and August 2024
2. How are winners determined?
   1. The 100 interns who make the list are chosen by a panel of judges who consider the strength of nominations, voting totals, and social media promotion.
3. How do I nominate myself?
   1. Follow the steps below: 
   2. To start a nomination, select “I am an Intern” 
   3. Complete the form fields; progress can be saved and returned to later.
   4. Submit the completed form.
   5. Share your nomination with your network to increase your vote totals and make sure to use #NationalInternDay.
4. When are applications due?
   1. Friday, August 8th, 2024 by 11:59 pm EST
5. When is the list announced?
   1. Middle of August

Now that you have the info, we’ll show you how your nomination can be a winner. We’ve curated some tips, tricks, and advice to help guide you.

How to have a “knock out” nomination and be named a TOP intern

We spoke with Yello/WayUp staff, past NID winners, and campus recruiting professionals about what it takes to be a top intern. Here’s what they had to say:

Show, don’t tell. 

Similar to writing a standout resume, quantify some of your accomplishments thus far in your internship. On your National Intern Day nomination, you will be asked a series of questions that have to do with what you do in your internship, what you’ve learned, and how it has shaped your career goals. What impact have you made on your team? What processes have you improved or implemented? Brag on yourself and use quantifiable data to back it up. 

It’s okay to over-explain

Some of the NID nominations that have been the most impressive were able to give a lot of detail about the complexities of their projects. This doesn’t mean writing a one-page report when explaining the projects or day-to-day responsibilities of your internships. Instead, make sure it is crystal clear not only what you worked on, but the impact this had on you, the organization, and the team you worked with. 

Spread the word.

Tap into your network: get your connections to vote for you and get the word out there. We’ve even created a template for you to share your nomination with your network. Engage with your friends, family, and connections by marketing yourself. Make sure you’re using the hashtag #NationalInternDay in your social media posts. 

Apply Early

Lastly, the worst thing you can do if you’re trying to make it on the “Top 100 Interns” list for 2024 is wait to apply. The sooner you get your application in, the better, so fill out an application and see if you have what it takes to make the cut!

Walk the walk

Be the top intern you believe you can be and want to be recognized as. In your day to day internship, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak up. Be on time and act professional. Go out of your way to get to know people and make connections. Keep track of your tasks and accomplishments. Learn as much as you can and be a sponge. By actually “being” a top intern, you’re going to have people wanting to vote for your nomination and see you succeed. 

You’re now one step closer to TOP 100 and being a future leader. You’ve got the tips, tricks, and expert advice to be one of 2024’s top interns. We’re looking forward to your nomination so make sure to submit one before it’s too late.

The post National Intern Day: How You Can Be 2024’s Top Intern appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Taking a leap and joining an internship can come with many unknowns – Will I meet people and make friends? What is the company culture like? What type of projects will I work on?

At Tata Consultancy Services, a leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, the campus recruitment team understands these pre-joining nerves and have created a thoughtful engaging program to ease the transition from school into a professional work environment.

To develop emerging young leaders within the IT industry, TCS created a robust internship program that offers students meaningful work experience in a real-world setting. The ‘TCS Early Careers’ program allows interns the opportunity to contribute to real technology projects handled by industry professionals within various TCS business units and gain hands-on experience through problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Spanning across 10-12 weeks, the program is ideal for students currently enrolled in a computer science and/or other TCS relevant STEM academic program

About ‘TCS Early Careers’ Program

TCS values the student’s experience and learning. The program is structured into 5 distinct phases intended to guide the students seamlessly through the experience and gain the exposure that is intended. With the guidance of the TCS campus team at every step of the process, each student has access to a business mentor and a buddy who are integrally involved in the internship process and interact regularly with the students.

Phase 1
The initial phase, prior to joining, has connect sessions planned at regular intervals with the campus team and the mentors to ensure readiness to get started with TCS. To alleviate some of the nerves before starting the internship, the TCS team hosts virtual sessions to go through any questions upcoming interns might have on onboarding and what to expect on the internship. The week before the internship starts, interns receive a welcome kit full of TCS swag and instructions on what to expect on Day 1!

Phase 2 and 3
To help ease the transition into the corporate world, the second and third phase focuses on ‘getting a fast start’ for the interns. The interns are welcomed with an orientation on their first day where they attend workshops, featuring sessions about TCS and its business, information on how to access their equipment tools, connect with their mentors/buddies and other insightful talks from senior leadership. During the weeklong orientation, TCS interns will also hear from Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leaders and are encouraged to join these groups to start networking and seamlessly assimilate into the TCS culture.

Phase 4
The fourth phase is about delivering clarity on the role and helping the interns succeed in the project. Interns meet with their assigned teams and start working on projects and some of the interns have the opportunity to directly work with TCS customers. While working on projects, interns are mentored by subject matter experts to gain applicable leadership and technology skills to help jumpstart their careers. All of this happens organically through the collaborative company culture and meaningful project experience.

Phase 5
The last phase is all about ‘Celebrating the success’ of completing the internships. With a formal graduation ceremony, the interns have the opportunity to showcase their experience to the TCS Leadership team and share/hear about success stories from other interns.

Life as an Intern

To gain an insight into the TCS intern experience, WayUp spoke with previous interns Karan Sathiayan and Hrithik Reddy. Karan, a data scientist intern and current full-time employee, shared that as an intern he was given a lot of responsibility which made him feel valued as a part of the team. Karan shared that the highlight of the internship was when he presented a demo in front of a large group of TCS employees at an internal seminar that his manager organized.

To gain another perspective, WayUp spoke with Hrithik Reddy who interned at TCS but his role was quite different from a typical technology internship. He focused on projects supporting the Global Sports Sponsorship team and helped the team with sponsorship research and how to boost TCS marketability through sports. Hrithik supported the team’s efforts working towards TCS sponsorships for the TCS NYC Marathon (title sponsor), Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, TCS Jaguar Racing, and other events.

Hrithik spoke highly of the team environment and company culture, especially in his contributions as an intern. He described the engaging atmosphere and how his input was considered by the team, which helped him feel valuable and like he had already been working for the company for years.

Mentorship and Professional Development Opportunities

As a part of the Internship program, interns are assigned a mentor and a buddy to meet with weekly throughout the entire duration of the internship. Interns are also introduced to an internal communication tool to communicate with their peers and receive real-time feedback from their buddies, mentors, and senior leadership. This intentional approach to provide relational support at the company helps to equip interns with networking, interpersonal, and teambuilding skills – all of which are vital to their long-term success.

Karan Sathiayan, a data scientist who very recently joined TCS full-time, praised the company culture and their value of mentorship and continued education. TCS not only offers outside training through Linkedin Learning, but also has their own internal platform called iEvolve where employees can gain training on anything from technical skills to leadership and soft skills.

Karan also elaborated how these TCS trainings are vital to standing out during the interview process.

TCS Micro Internships

In collaboration with The Forage, Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Group have created three virtual Micro Internships which are open to all students and professionals who are looking to grow their skills. TCS and Tata Group have created three Micro Internships which simulates real world projects and allows you to get experience in areas such as Data Visualization, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability. These Micro Internships are self-paced typically taking 3-5 hours to complete and can be conducted fully virtually. These Micro Internships are free and are open to everyone. You can navigate to the three Tata Micro Internships by clicking on the following link here.

An internship with TCS is a valuable experience that can guide you on your career path and prepare you with hands-on experience for a full-time career after graduation. If you’re interested in IT or software engineering, be sure to check out their internship programs and other career opportunities within the company.

For more information about the company, check out TCS’s page on WayUp here. For more specific information about the internship program, view here.

About TCS

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that has been partnering with many of the world’s largest businesses for the past 50 years. TCS believes innovation and collective knowledge can transform the future with greater purpose.

TCS has over 601,000 of the world’s best trained consultants from 150+ nationalities with operations in 55 countries. Diversity is a value of TCS as evidenced by how the company is one of the world’s largest employers of women – over 160,000 women employees – making up over 36% of the global workforce. Notably, TCS was recently awarded the #1 Top Employer in the U.S. award by Top Employers Institute and was also awarded Top 100 internship program by WayUp in 2022 and 2023.

The post How ‘Early Careers’ at Tata Consultancy Services Prepares You for a Career with Impact appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Capital One’s Analyst Internship Program (AIP) is the launchpad for a satisfying career in business or data analytics. 

During the 10-week program, students can expect to complete meaningful work like building data visualization tools in AWS, performing campaign analysis on marketing plans and optimizing machine learning products. They’ll level up their business, problem solving and coding skills and, along the way, build relationships they can turn to for support beyond the internship.

Three AIP alumni, now working full-time at Capital One, share how their internship helped them launch their analyst careers successfully. 

How Campbell completed real work that advanced financial inclusion

Campbell experienced a diverse mix of analyst responsibilities while completing her two Capital One internships. 

In her first summer, she worked on a marketing campaign identifying which Capital One Auto Finance tools would best help customers increase their savings. In her second internship, Campbell worked with the Digital Customer Experience Innovation Team to analyze customer feedback and address how Capital One could optimize Auto Navigator, a tool customers use to pre-qualify for auto loans, explore financing options and search for vehicles in their preferred price range. 

During her internships, Campbell analyzed the effectiveness of email marketing, used coding and worked on data within the cloud. She identified customer motivations, built customer personas and presented her insights to senior leaders. 

“I came away with firm examples of how I drove a project forward as an intern,” Campbell said. “I can point to decisions that I brought to the table. It was pretty incredible to have those contributions. I knew I wanted to come back.” 

Campbell was excited when she realized how much her internship prepared her for a full-time position through the Analyst Development Program (ADP), an 18-month experience where recent grads cycle through two positions with two teams. Currently, she’s a business analyst with the Financial Services Strategy team. 

“Yes, you’re learning how to be an analyst, but in the eyes of your coworkers, you already are because you’re doing the work,” Campbell said. “That gives you so much confidence at the start of your career.”

 How Solomon developed tech and financial skills to launch his career

Solomon was looking for an internship where he could merge a new experience working in tech with his studies in management and entrepreneurship. He found that perfect blend through the AIP.

As a business analyst intern, Solomon worked on a machine learning team where he built a dashboard for small business clients. While Solomon researched how to create the dashboard, he took the opportunity to expand some of his tech and business acumen. It was then that he learned the programming languages Python and SQL, explored how to use data visualization tools and learned to effectively pitch ideas. 

“Tech is the future for the financial industry, and Capital One knows that,” Solomon said. “So I appreciated learning these programming and product manager skills to make me a better analyst.” 

Now, Solomon uses the tech knowledge he developed as an intern for his full-time role with the ADP. As a business analyst on the Credit Card Innovation team, he assesses data, customer feedback and the latest technology to determine how to better protect Capital One’s card portfolios. 

“If you’re interested in the intersection of technology and finance, Capital One is the place to be,” Solomon said. “With the internship, you get to work on real problems and learn new skills in an exciting and supporting environment.” 

 How Fozi built a supportive network to help him grow

As a data analyst intern with Capital One’s Servicing Data Strategy team, Fozi worked on predictive modeling to determine the likelihood a customer would close their Capital One card account. 

While the work required a heavy amount of data analysis, Fozi knew he could do a better job if he incorporated machine learning. After discussing with his manager, they introduced Fozi to several data analysts and machine learning engineers who had experience and could help. Fozi’s new connections helped him infuse a machine learning model into the project so it would need less manual data entry to succeed long-term. 

“Doing the work is one thing, but knowing how to build relationships and ask your network for help and guidance was a valuable skill I learned,” Fozi said. 

In his current full-time role as a data analyst through the ADP, Fozi supports various Card teams by designing and maintaining data structures for campaigns. Rarely does a week go by where he doesn’t reach out to someone he met during his internship—whether a former manager, colleague or another intern—for everything from advice on building a strategy plan to getting other data analysts’ best practices. 

“Capital One’s culture makes it so easy to build connections,” Fozi said. “I’ve realized that community building is how I’ve found success. That network I started building as an intern still provides me guidance and support.”

Head over to Capital One’s profile to learn more about the company and browse open roles, upcoming events, and more.

The post From interns to analysts with Capital One’s Analyst Internship Program appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

KPMG, one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms, has taken their investment in new hires and candidates to a whole new level. This investment is seen in the form of their sprawling KPMG Lakehouse campus in Orlando, Florida where new and tenured professionals go to build their skills, participate in training, and grow their network. 

One particular immersion that KPMG has at Lakehouse is their Talent Sync program where intern and full-time candidates gather to learn what life is like at KPMG and to get better acquainted with the firm.

While the benefits of Talent Sync are vast, we’ve identified a few main allures through conversations with participants and facilitators of the program. Whether it is simulated work experiences and first-hand narratives of personal journeys or networking and team-building exercises, KPMG Talent Sync is an excellent opportunity for early-career candidates looking to jumpstart their professional services careers and immerse themselves into a vibrant work culture.

Seeing Yourself in Their Shoes

One of the main benefits of Talent Sync is that prospective interns, new hires, and candidates get the chance to interact with professionals from all different levels of the firm. The goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for participants to imagine their own career trajectories at the firm.

Jacob went on to say how inspiring it was listening to leaders in the same field he was interested in talk with so much passion. This motivated him to set similar goals for himself and choose KPMG as the place where he wants to begin his career.

When we spoke with Courtney Kelly, a manager on the University Talent Acquisition team who helped facilitate Talent Sync, she explained how “interns aren’t always thinking about years down the line, so by having multiple levels of professionals on-site at Talent Sync, candidates are better able to picture themselves in different positions within the company.” Looking at Jacob’s story, it’s clear that KPMG’s efforts did just that.

A Behind The Scenes Look at What Life Is Like at KPMG

Another great allure of KPMG Talent Sync is the opportunity for prospective interns and new hires to see what life is really like at KPMG. This means learning about both the work you’re going to be doing and the benefits you get as an employee.

In the practice breakout rooms at the program, Audit, Tax, and Advisory professionals with various levels of experience lead interactive sessions on a range of topics relevant to their respective practices. These sessions offer participants a unique opportunity to engage with professionals in a small group setting and gain insights into the work performed on their teams.  

Talent Sync goes as far as having designated location-specific cohorts on-site to help candidates understand what life at KPMG is like. This past year, Audit Senior Associate, Brady Blanton had the privilege of being an on-site cohort captain. While Brady helped participants at Talent Sync understand everything involved with the actual work they will be doing, he also offered them insight into everything outside the work of a KPMG professional as well.

The fact that KPMG has someone like Brady on-site at Talent Sync to show these participants a really accurate portrayal of the firm’s culture and work-life just goes to show how much they invest in candidates before the job even starts. By the end of our conversation with Brady, it was clear that KPMG was making an effort to show these candidates that they really wanted them to work for the firm and cared about their future. 

Building Career-Long Relationships

When KPMG invites candidates to Talent Sync, they do so with the intention of compelling them to accept their offer to join a firm with incredible opportunities to grow their careers and their network. 

Talent Sync naturally becomes a place where career-long relationships begin.

KPMG knows what it takes to be successful in the accounting industry and clearly values strong networking opportunities. Whether it’s to start career-long relationships or see a real inside look at what life is like at the firm and what your career could consist of, Talent Sync is one of the most unique opportunities for early-career candidates interested in professional services.

If you want to learn what it takes to grow and develop yourself at one of the Big 4 accounting firms, take a look at some of the open roles and job opportunities at KPMG on their WayUp profile or www.kpmguscareers.com/job-search.

Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for KPMG audit clients and their affiliates or related entities.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

© 2023 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.

The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization.

The post A Future-Ready Workforce at KPMG: Investing Ahead of the Curve appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Those who take on athletics and extracurriculars in college are individuals with incredible drive who become intensely motivated by their passions and their desire to pursue them. Over the years, Northwestern Mutual has come to understand that these types of people thrive and find success as financial representatives. 

Whether it’s their desire to make a lasting impact or the ability to have a flexible schedule, there are several reasons why athletes and people involved in nonscholastic activities do so well as financial representatives.

Recently, we interviewed a couple of college financial representative interns who are also involved with athletics and extracurriculars to understand why the job is so perfect for people like them.

Complimentary Skills and Characteristics

While athletes tend to have incredible amounts of drive and motivation, those involved in Greek life and clubs are typically very people-oriented. These traits are particularly beneficial to have as a financial representative because of the self-starter attitude and the communication skills that are essential to the job!

Phillip Li, a varsity baseball player at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, provides his team with quick hands as an infield baseman in addition to holding down a .429 slugging average this past season. During this time, he also helped a couple plan their retirement. 

Phillip went on to discuss how the drive he has towards training for a successful season was similar to the efforts he put forward with his clients. He visualized his goal, put together a “game plan,” worked with his teammate (senior partner), and saw the objective through to completion.

Picking Out Your Own Schedule

As most students know, especially those involved in athletics, college schedules can get really busy. Academics and social life already take up a large percentage of your time but when you start committing to athletics and nonscholastic activities it often seems impossible to do anything else.

Northwestern Mutual’s college financial representative intern role is unique because it is built to accommodate the hectic lives of college students with busy schedules. Take Jack Thompson for example, a Division 3 lacrosse player at Union College. In our conversation with Jack, he spoke to us about how his mentors at Northwestern Mutual worked with him to make sure his professional life was fitting well with his college life.

Maybe you have a big test coming up, practice, or a week-long lacrosse tournament in Austin as Jack did. As a financial representative intern at Northwestern Mutual, there is no need to fret. Northwestern Mutual understands that you have other things going on in your life. This being the case, Northwestern Mutual consults with you to find a balance that works for everyone. 

Real Game Time Experience

If you are on a team, you don’t want to be sitting on the bench. The same goes professionally when you’re working at a job! But in order to get game time ready, you need to practice.

When you’re just getting started as a financial representative, a senior representative will have you shadow them on real client calls, gradually getting you more and more involved. The work you do is the same as if you were a full-time financial representative, but you have the support and mentorship from leaders along the way. 

After a few times, the training wheels come off and you will be on your own making financial recommendations for clients!

While there is a short shadow period during which you learn the ropes with a senior employee, this only lasts for a little while until you’re on the field getting real experience with real clients.

Ambitious Minds Thrive Here

One trait a lot of athletes and those involved in extracurriculars have that makes them particularly successful at Northwestern Mutual is their ambition. Whether it’s waking up early for practice or just the internal desire to grow and better yourself, these types of people are made for the college financial representative intern position.

In our conversation with Sayawni Lassiter, a Division 1 Women’s College basketball player at the University of Rhode Island and college financial representative intern, she recounted how she connected with her recruiter and how he expressed that ambition is a key ingredient in being successful as a financial representative.

If you’re a current college student and want to start experiencing real-life work as a financial professional, take a look at Northwestern Mutual’s industry-leading college financial representative intern position.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Representatives are Independent Contractors whose income is based solely on production.

Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with the titles “Financial Advisor” or “Wealth Management Advisor” are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide advisory services.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI.

The post Flexibility, Growth, and Competitive Pay Awaits at Northwestern Mutual’s Industry-Leading Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you think of an ideal internship, what comes to mind? Do you think of a sprawling office space in a big city? Maybe you imagine rooms filled with massive whiteboards and colleagues sharing ideas and making moves? Or maybe, you think of an ideal internship as a place where everyone is friends as much as they are colleagues with a fantastic work-life culture?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the Boston-based e-commerce marketing automation platform, Klaviyo, may be the place for you. Their summer engineering internship is a dynamic opportunity for aspiring engineers to find their footing in the industry and get a taste of the local tech scene in the Northeast. 

We decided to sit down with a couple of Klaviyo engineers, one of whom started as an intern, to find out what it is that makes the program so special. In our conversations with them, we discovered that the hands-on work, vibrant office space, and incredible culture at Klaviyo helped make their internship experience memorable, and their work today as engineers so satisfying.

Building Real World Applications

Everyone we spoke to at Klaviyo agreed that part of what makes Klaviyo’s engineering internship unique is that interns get to work on things that have real business applications and problem-solutions for the company. Klaviyo’s goal for their interns is that by the end of the summer, they will have a project they worked on where they can really see their contributions taking hold.

Maya Nigrin, a former intern and now senior software engineer, recounted how these very real engineering endeavors and projects made her feel like she was progressing in her career.

Maya went on to share that never felt like she was being treated like an intern or somebody that didn’t know what they were doing. The fact that she was trusted to write code, do a good job, and take on difficult projects gave her the confidence needed to grow herself both as an engineer and early career professional.

A Vibrant Office Space

One of the biggest headlines over the past few years at Klaviyo is without a doubt the arrival of their downtown Boston office. With multiple floors fitted with everything from coffee, beer, and snack bars, a large outdoor balcony/terrace, open format workspaces, and even arcade games, ping pong, and shuffleboard, there is little that the sprawling office space doesn’t offer.

In our conversation with Dmitry Mamyrin, a veteran engineer with tons of experience in the industry, he remarked on how much he enjoyed the layout and overall aesthetic of the space.

Definitely not a bad view to have while writing some code or working on a project!

Keeping a Level Head

For Dmitry Mamyrin, it was the way in which his fellow colleagues dealt with high-intensity situations that made him admire the culture so much. Referring to a problem he and his team were addressing, Dmitry remarked that “everyone was so cool-headed during the event.” It made him realize how much he wanted to be a part of a culture with people who, “think critically and seriously, but don’t freak out and continue the process when out-of-the-ordinary events occur.” From our conversations with Dmitry and Maya we could tell that they are impassioned engineers who work alongside a cohort of similarly passionate colleagues who love what they do and the customers they do it for.

As Klaviyo continues to grow, so too does its summer engineering internship and the opportunity it affords everyone who participates in it. For more information on Klaviyo and internship application details head over to their company profile today!

The post How Two Engineers Found Success with Klaviyo and Their Boston-Based Experience appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Landing an internship at Dow Jones is an opportunity to work for a company that makes a worldwide impact. As a global company with over 5,500 employees, our mission is to provide the world’s most trusted journalism, data, and analysis to help people make decisions.

Whether it’s helping our readers make decisions through our flagship publications, The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s Group, or helping companies make decisions with our world-class data and analytics services, we educate and inform people to make choices and form opinions everywhere.

At Dow Jones, it doesn’t matter what area of business your internship is in, you can be certain it will be an immersive experience with meaningful and impactful work. During your internship, you will be working hands-on with real projects and business objectives. Additionally, you will learn how to grow and harness your skills through professional development sessions and networking events with executives and our CEO, Almar Latour.

For insight into the “real” Dow Jones internship experience, read what former interns who have since transitioned into full-time employees have to say. Here’s how they described their internship experience in three words.

The post In Three Words: Dow Jones Interns Break Down Their Summers appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Once considered only for their ability to fetch coffee and take orders, interns are now becoming more and more important. Companies across the country are beginning to see these potential future employees both as valuable assets and future leaders, causing a ripple effect across industries.

While some companies are just now catching on to the trend, we at WayUp have known for years how beneficial internships can be for both the people who participate in them and the companies that sponsor them. As a job platform that helps people find internships, we have seen first-hand how talented and driven these young entrepreneurs can be. 

Our support for these so-called “rookies” goes so far that we even came up with a holiday for them – National Intern Day – that we will be celebrating the 6th iteration of on July 28th, 2022.

Featured on The Today Show, NASA, and even Forbes, National Intern Day has taken the country by storm and for that reason, has grown pretty competitive. To increase your chances of making it on our Top 100 list for National Intern Day, we put together a list of suggestions to help bolster your application.

Go Above and Beyond

The first and most important thing you have to do to make your way on the Top 100 list is to be an excellent intern. It’s not enough to be a spectator during your summer internship or just go through the motions. You have to be an active participant who not only accomplishes what you’re assigned but goes above and beyond it.

Another important factor to keep in mind as you’re excelling in your internship is the attitude you have. If you’re able to go through a really busy day, one that really tests you, and you do it with a smile on your face, your manager and the people around you will take note of it.

Take Inventory of Your Experience

On your National Intern Day application, you will be asked a series of questions that have to do with what you do in your internship, what you’ve learned, and how it has shaped your career goals. If you’re not prepared to answer these questions in an engaging and authentic way, then it might be best to take inventory of your experience before applying.

Don’t just repeat what the job description says, speak from the heart and demonstrate that the internship had as great of an impact on you as you had on it. If you’re able to show that the significance of your internship was far-reaching, your chances will undoubtedly increase.

Moderate Your Social Media Presence

If you don’t know already, companies are watching what you do on social media. And when it comes to selecting our top interns of 2022, so do we! With this being said, make sure you moderate your social media presence to portray the intelligent and talented individual that you are.

Those who are more active on social media and demonstrate someone who can engage audiences will definitely factor into the decision-making process of our internship but will in no way decide it! 

Apply Early

Lastly, the worst thing you can do if you’re trying to make it on the “Top 100 Interns” list for 2022 is wait to apply. The sooner you get your application in, the better, so fill out an application and see if you have what it takes to make the cut!

The post How to Enter and Win The National Intern Day Competition appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a current student or recent graduate, one question you might be asking yourself is how can you prepare yourself for an interview and secure a job. But given the fact that interviews and application processes differ from company to company, you may have found yourself lost and unsure about where to start. 

In order to help guide early-career professionals through interviews and applications, we took an in-depth look at the process at one of the world’s largest asset managers – BlackRock. To better understand how candidates can nail their application and interview process, we spoke with three analysts who successfully secured internships with this $22 billion company and continue to work and thrive there today as analysts.

This list includes everything from interview tips to general advice that these employees used to help them navigate the interview process and secure a job at BlackRock. While some of the tips are specific to BlackRock and its unique hiring process, many of them are universal and can be used throughout your entire professional career. We hope this helps make landing your first job or internship a little easier and encourages you to seek employment with BlackRock – a company that has been shaking up the industry and providing lifelong careers for years.

1. Reach out to current employees

Reaching out to current employees at a company is beneficial for a number of reasons. Julia Colliton, an analyst at BlackRock, claims that her interactions with a BlackRock employee prior to applying made her more attracted to the role, and motivated her to apply. Most people think of establishing relationships with active employees in order to help usher them through the finish line, which is true, but it can also help give you perspective into the actual role as well. Look for LinkedIn connections, ask questions, and do whatever you can to improve the perspectives of those you engage with, including your own.

2. Get activity/leadership experience

BlackRock is a company that values leadership experience in its employees. In fact, there is an entire section of their internship interview process that is dedicated to it. Not only will getting leadership experience better enable you to do your job better and thrive as an employee, but it will make your application stand out from the rest. You will most likely be applying with people who all have great GPAs and honors designations, so this is an area where you can really stand out.

3. Resume building

Establishing a strong resume is something that most prospects can assume they need to spend time on. But the ways in which you build that resume are vast. One thing that all of the analysts we interviewed agreed on was to gather as much feedback on your resume as possible. Have a friend who has been in the professional world for a while? Share your resume with them. Have a good relationship with your professor? Let them take a look at it. If you feel bold enough, go and find a recruiter on LinkedIn and see if they will check it out. The more eyes you can get on it, the better.

4. Prepare for the virtual cover letter

The virtual cover letter is something unique to BlackRock’s interview and application process and something applicants might not be familiar with. Acknowledging that the environment is unique and preparing for it accordingly is the best piece of advice we redacted from the current employees we spoke with. Things like checking your lighting and background or practicing your delivery in a “practice interview” by yourself are all things that will help you be better prepared. Also, researching as much as you can will help you face the questions that will be asked.

5. Overprepare for the interview

After speaking with current analysts at BlackRock, the general consensus about the interview was that you can never be too prepared. But what exactly does being prepared for an interview mean? Julia asserts that reading blog posts, watching podcasts, and taking a close look at the principles that the company stands for are all ways you can make sure to stay prepared for the list of questions you will be asked. Additionally, the more information you have the better equipped you will be to carry on an intelligent conversation and really leave an impression on your interviewer. 

6. Stay relaxed and be yourself

As important as it is to retain a professional and focused demeanor during an interview, it is also important to stay relaxed and be yourself. BlackRock is looking for employees who are informed as much as they are personable and want someone who coworkers will enjoy working with and being around. Sara Feraca, an analyst at BlackRock, encourages applicants to “show your personality and composure while speaking” to establish a meaningful connection with your interviewer. BlackRock isn’t a company looking for robots to join their company!

7. “Be a student of the markets”

One of the more notable quotes we got during our interviews with three BlackRock employees was to “be a student of the markets.” Suggested by Julia Colliton, what she meant by this was to know your industry inside and out. It isn’t enough to just be overly familiar with what’s on your resume. You have to be able to speak intelligently and in-depth regarding anything and everything in the finance world. The more real-world scenarios and citings you can come up with, the more you will impress your interviewer, convincing them that you’re passionate about what you do and the person they should hire.

8. Follow up with your interviewer

The last piece of information that all of the employees we interviewed suggested to us was to follow up with your interviewer after your conversation. Make sure you ask them for their contact information if you don’t already have it so you can reach out when the time comes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that you might be pondering and to thank them for their time. Usually, the decision will be made whether or not you follow up with them, but in some scenarios, this will be the final push needed to get you past the finish line or to the next round of interviews. 

At the end of the day, try not to be nervous and know that if you follow all these steps, you did the best you can to try and launch your career. BlackRock is a company that believes in diversity and inclusion and is proud to hire people from a variety of backgrounds, so they encourage people from all walks of life to apply. 

Be yourself, be confident, and most importantly be prepared, and you just might see be able to find a job at the largest asset management company in the world.

The post 8 Career Tips From People Who Landed an Internship at BlackRock appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re young, it’s hard not to think about money. Money you want to spend, money you want to invest, money you want to share with your family, and money that you want to earn. Depending on who you are and what field you’re pursuing, expectations about your starting salary are bound to vary. But that doesn’t change the fact that everyone still wants to know how much money they could possibly make in a particular career.

This being the case, we decided to create a list of some of the highest-paying\ jobs for early-career candidates using data sourced from Salary.com. Although there may be jobs that exist in between these rankings and salaries that vary from company to company, this will give you an idea of what you can expect to make in each of the corresponding positions.

10. Accounting Analyst – $56,076

At the top of our list, we have a position that everyone reading this should be familiar with – accountants. Accountants can range from public, to personal, to private, serving a myriad of clients with ranging budgets. For example, you could be handling daily operations as an accountant at Northrop Grumman. Or maybe you’d prefer to support worldwide business leaders as a global finance accountant for Capital Group? It’s entirely up to you and what you love!

As you can imagine, an accountant handling the taxes of a typical citizen as opposed to an accountant handling the profile of a Fortune 500 company will vary. So keep that in mind when choosing your route!

9. Risk Analyst – $59,921

Next up on our list of highest-paying jobs, we have risk analysts who are responsible for reviewing and examining financial firms’ investment portfolios. This includes overseeing international investments and assessing the risk involved with certain financial decisions. One very typical industry you might find risk analysts working is in banking with names like Citi or JPMorgan. Although this is near the bottom of our top 10, don’t doubt the ability to make serious money in a career like this.

8. Financial Analyst – $61,769

Although a risk analyst may sometimes be classified as a financial analyst, the jobs vary in depth. A financial analyst works in banks, pension funds, insurance companies, and a wide range of other businesses that exist outside the financial realm. Their official titles may be specified as securities analyst, research analyst, equity analyst, investment analyst, or ratings analyst.

Looking to pursue a career in this direction? Check out Citi’s Summer Analyst position that they’re hiring for right now!

7. Inside Sales – $65,729

An inside sales rep is an extremely broad category just because of how many different sectors they operate in. The reason this may be weighed down is because of the sheer amount of sales companies that exist in our markets.

Although there may be bigshot inside sales reps who are making up to 6 digits including commission there are also reps selling cheaper products somewhere else. A few roles in particular that land within the inside sales category include the inside sales specialist role at Ingram Micro and the sales operations internship with GE Appliances. Keep in mind that the role with BNSF is far more of an entry role, but that being said it could definitely prop you up and give you the experience needed to secure the account manager role with Dell in the future!

6. Investment Banking Analyst – $75,934

One of the more popular careers on our list of highest paying jobs falls in the investment banking category – an incredibly lucrative field for some of the most ambitious minds in the business world. Placed in a variety of different industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, or any of the other emerging markets, investment banking analysts serve a critical role in securing and/or saving money for a wide variety of clients.

One company that is currently hiring for a range of investment banking roles across several cities in the US is Citi. Check out their WayUp profile page to browse open positions.

5. Business and Information Technology – $81,100

Business and information technology have always been a major presence across industries. But more so in recent times due to the advancement of technology within the space. As a business and information technology representative or analyst, you are responsible for the integration and oftentimes management of a business’ particular technology which, depending on the complexity of said technology, will range in compensation.

Looking to get your start in the field? Check out Dell Technologies’ finance and business operations internship!

4. Cyber Security Architect – $105,078

Given the rise of cyber terrorism and the severity of the damage inflicted on victims, cyber security specialists have become a very high-paying job. Businesses across various different industries have enlisted the services of cyber security engineers and architects to make sure their defense systems are ironclad.

Given the fact that finance companies with large quantities of money to keep safe are oftentimes the ones seeking out architects, you can expect to make a large chunk of change in a profession like this. That being said, it does take some time to get to a wage like this. You have to start at the beginning, like at Northrop Grumman’s Internship/Co-Op for software and cyber engineers.

3. Supply Chain Manager – $116,738

A supply chain manager is responsible for coordinating, organizing, and overseeing multiple activities that revolve around the facilitation of a product. This includes the identification, acquisition, production, and distribution of said product all while making sure nothing goes wrong and saving money wherever possible.

In a position like this, you might be managing a supply chain that supports the manufacturing efforts of new products at L’Oreal or ensuring the procurement of jet engine components at somewhere like Howmet Aerospace! Given how fast product markets are growing, there is no wonder why this is on our list of highest paying jobs.

2. Software Engineer – $118,780

Sitting comfortably at second on our list are software engineers. The degree of difficulty involved with becoming a software engineer, and a good one at that, is part of the reason why it is such a high-paying job. Depending on what kind of software you are designing and for who, expect this profession to keep you fed, well clothed, and living great. Sound like something you might like? Check out these positions for a Staff Engineer at Abercrombie & Fitch and a Solutions Engineer at Capital Group.

1. Data Scientist – $135,537

There’s no denying the facts – data runs the world. In this information age of our’s where data and statistics have become currency, more and more companies, app developers, and entrepreneurs of every variety are seeking out knowledgeable and capable data scientists to help them turn numbers into profit. Profits that data scientists are given a large portion of. Take Acxiom for example – they are a company that is run on data and is constantly looking for data scientists to fill their ranks. But IBM is just one of the many employers looking to hire savvy analytical minds for massive paychecks which is why it is one of the highest paying jobs for early-career candidates.

Although salary is an incredibly important factor when it comes to deciding where you want to work, it shouldn’t be the only factor. There are several reasons that make a job the right one for you and it’s critical that you weigh all of them with the intention of doing what’s best for you. 

To find out more information on how to go about choosing a career path or determining what job is perfect for you, make a profile with WayUp and get matched with tons of employers all looking to fill positions today.

The post 10 of The Highest Paying Jobs for Early Career Candidates appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In honor of National Intern Day, we are taking time to celebrate and recognize all of our RSM interns as valued members of our teams. We thank them for continually making an impact on our clients, colleagues, and communities across the nation! We reached out to our current summer interns and asked them to share their RSM experience and what they have learned so far during their internship: 

“Gaining real client exposure and being fully involved with the project I’ve been assigned to has been my favorite part. Being able to see the firm’s leadership strategically navigate our client’s complex issues has been a great learning experience. I look forward to continue studying the way the firm drives meaningful relationships.” – Sam, Consulting Intern, Chicago

“My favorite part of the internship so far has been collaborating with my teammates to find solutions for our clients’ needs. A career at RSM means that I will be able to grow not only professionally but also as a person. There are a lot of employee network groups that I look forward to hopefully be able to join one day.” – Juan, Consulting Intern, Dallas

“I have learned so much about the culture at RSM. It’s very caring and growth-oriented, not only professionally, but also socially. Going into accounting I heard about RSM and set being part of the firm as a goal for my college career.” – Charlie, Consulting Intern, Los Angeles

“I’ve enjoyed learning how NetSuite is implemented and how easily customizable it is to the client’s needs and wants. Also, networking; I’ve met so many different people who exhibit the 5’Cs on a day-to-day basis and I am looking forward to being like them in hopes of teaching others to do the same.” – Esmeralda, Consulting Intern, Austin

“My favorite part of the internship has been getting to work with my engagement teams. Everyone is so friendly and eager to help me and it’s been wonderful getting to know them. I’m looking forward to getting to meet more people and getting to know the people I’ve already met even better.” – Jonathan, Audit Intern, Cincinnati

“Even being in a virtual internship, I have made friends with people from my office and other offices across the United States. RSM has really emphasized the importance of CDI, which is extremely important for me to have that support system. It makes me feel a part of a community by being able to join employee network groups.” – Caitlyn, Tax Intern, New Jersey

“One of my favorite things about my internship experience so far has been all the opportunities I have had as an intern to help produce real tax work for clients of the firm. One thing I am looking forward to about my internship having the chance to build a home for Habitat for Humanity with members of my office.” – Emily, Tax Intern, Davenport

Check out our Instagram story (@RSMUSLLP) to get a glimpse of the day in the life of an RSM intern!

The post Celebrating National Intern Day at RSM appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Lehigh Hanson provides raw materials for the roads we drive on, the houses we live in, the airports we fly from, and more. To produce the quantity and quality of materials demanded of Lehigh Hanson requires a team with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds.

One way Lehigh Hanson sources talent is through their internship programs, which offer college students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to hands-on application in the field. To learn more about how the Lehigh Hanson internship sets up students for career success we spoke to three interns turned full-timers—Here’s what they had to say. 

In her time at Lehigh Hanson, Raquel has learned how to be a leader through mentorship, hard-work, and drawing on experiences in university.

While earning her bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, Raquel was accepted into Lehigh Hanson’s three-month internship in Irving, CA. As an intern, she had the opportunity to put the theory from her coursework into practice and was determined to return as a full-time employee. 

The HR team encouraged Raquel to stay in touch, and she ultimately landed a full-time position as a rotational development trainee. The trainee program allowed her to learn from different people at the company, before being given a leadership position and responsibilities. She explained that this program sets you up for either a supervising role or a project engineering position.  

Nearly two years later, Raquel is now a Pit Production Supervisor, and she applies the advice that she received from her boss, “My boss says I should be like the director of a band, making sure that all of the pieces come together at the end of the day, safely and efficiently.”

What Raquel likes the most about her job is the combination of being in the office and doing a lot of engineering work, while simultaneously getting to be out in the field for the other half of the day interacting with the people bringing her projects to life. She shared that she enjoys, “Climbing all kinds of things, getting dirty, and learning from people out in the field.”

The work ethic Andrew developed in college, has helped him adapt and learn quickly in his ever-changing job. 

Andrew, a Missouri University of Science and Technology alumnus with a degree in Mining Engineering, had the opportunity to intern at Lehigh Hanson twice (in both 2018 and 2019) in Georgia, before starting full-time in October of 2020. In his time as an intern, Andrew learned how to be flexible, work with people of different ages and backgrounds, and developed a broader understanding of the industry as a whole.  

He attributes the work ethic he developed in university to his work ethic on the job. His dedication to learning and growing as a Lehigh Hanson is something that fits right in with the company culture. He shared one thing he likes about working at Lehigh Hanson is that, “Everyone wants to know something that they didn’t know when they woke up that morning. “

In addition to the willingness to learn, Andrew also appreciates that the people he works with at Lehigh Hanson are straightforward and honest. He recalled many instances where coworkers and mentors have given him tough love, and encouragement and it has helped him grow as an employee. 

His advice to anyone interested in interning with Lehigh is, “If you take an internship with Lehigh Hanson, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Put yourself out there and ask questions, even when you’re with people in a higher position.”

Anthony has taken the time to truly be a sponge and learn from those around him while at Lehigh Hanson.  

After participating in a summer internship at Lehigh Hanson the summer before his senior year, Anthony graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Mining and Geological Engineering in the fall of 2019. Just a few months later he started his full-time position at Lehigh Hanson in February of 2020. 

In his first year at Lehigh Hanson as a full-time employee, he’s hit the ground running working on Capital Projects. He explained that Capital Projects are construction projects that can range from $25,000 to a million dollars. He shared that in his day to day he comes into the office, conducts research, talks to vendors, and writes proposal drafts. But the work doesn’t stop there, he also goes out into the field to gain more perspective on the different projects he pitches. 

Anthony shared with us that this past year has been a great learning experience for him. “They give me a lot of flexibility to learn and get exposed to the things that I want to get exposed to. I can go out in the field and learn more. The first-hand experience is something you don’t get in school,” said Anthony. He also has learned from the many mentors he has acquired between his internship and first year at Lehigh Hanson. 

When asked to describe a favorite moment from his experience at Lehigh Hanson, he couldn’t pick just one. “I’m so excited and I’m such a sponge that everything has been memorable and exciting. One thing I like about my role is that no two days are the same. I wake up hungry and excited about what the day is going to bring,” he shared with us. 

There are so many paths at Lehigh Hanson, whether you’re interested in pitching new projects, managing a team, or focusing your energy on engineering. If you’d like to start and grow a career at Lehigh Hanson, start by checking out the open roles at Lehigh Hanson on WayUp!

The post How Lehigh Hanson’s Internship Program Prepared These Full-Time Employees For Career Success appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article was originally posted on BusinessWire.

Terminix Global Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of essential termite and pest management services to residential and commercial customers, has been named to the WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs for its 2020 IT Internship Program.

The list was decided by a panel of industry-leading HR experts and professionals, with input from the general public. Terminix was selected primarily for providing multiple engagement opportunities around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, including open-forum sessions where interns and company teammates came together to discuss their feelings openly and honestly concerning their experiences and perspectives, according to WayUp.

“The Terminix IT Internship Program was by far the most robust and rewarding experience that I’ve had to date,” says Terrance Campbell, 2020 IT virtual intern from Tennessee State University. “From day one of the internship, I was treated as a valuable team member and the entire IT leadership has been available and helpful. Terminix allowed me to engage in real-time projects that align with my career aspirations.”

Although internship hiring was down 49 percent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Glassdoor, Terminix conducted a full 10-week program for nine interns from six different colleges and universities. The program was almost entirely virtual, allowing interns to earn real-world experience and training from their own homes. Six of nine of the interns have since received extensions or full-time job offers.

“At Terminix, one of our core values is perseverance,” says Robert Doty, Terminix Chief Information Officer. “We initially planned an in-person IT internship, but our team adjusted and adapted to create a meaningful experience for both our teammates and our interns.”

Each intern in the program was paired with an IT team based on their skill set, interests and background. The interns were assigned projects and tasks that were a part of the teams P.I. (program increment) objectives. They also attended daily stand-up meetings, iteration planning, and IT training sessions.

“I felt like I was totally immersed in the Terminix business plan throughout the experience,” said Parks Gates, 2020 IT virtual intern from the University of Alabama. “This internship program put us right in the middle of the action and made us an integral part of the daily operations on the IT team. I feel truly blessed to have been able to participate.”

The Terminix IT Internship Program included:

• Participating in company-sponsored Diversity, Equity and Inclusion events
• 20+ Lunch & Learn/Day-in-the-Life sessions
• Attending IT and business town hall meetings
• Extensive exposure to the Terminix leadership team

“Our program is unique because of the relationships and culture we intentionally build with our teams,” says Phillip Lisenba, IT Intern Program Director for Terminix. “We met with our interns daily in order to familiarize them with the Terminix business, culture, leadership, and technology. We wanted to make sure they understood our company inside and out.”

Interns from the 2020 virtual program came from Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College, Tennessee State University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Memphis.

Terminix has a long history of successful college internship programs and leadership development programs for recent college graduates. In the past, Terminix has hosted and hired interns from as far as Brigham Young University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Texas Tech University, the University of Alabama, the University of Florida, and many more.

Terminix has also been recognized for having successful high-school internships within its customer success centers, as well as current programs with Communities in Schools, the National Kappa League and Shelby County Schools.

About Terminix 
Terminix Global Holdings (NYSE: TMX) is a leading provider of residential and commercial pest control. The company provides pest management services and protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., with more than 10,500 teammates and 2.8 million customers in 24 countries and territories, the company visits more than 50,000 homes and businesses every day. If you’re interested in one of Terminix’s internships, click here. To learn more about Terminix, visit Terminix.com, or LinkedIn.com/company/terminix.

The post Terminix Internship Named to Top 100 Best Internships in America appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As one of the largest consumer products companies on the planet, Colgate-Palmolive boasts over 12 internationally recognized brands, 34,000-plus employees, and — yes — an elite internship program that offers plenty of career development, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities. 

Don’t believe us? We spoke to three former Colgate-Palmolive interns-turned-full-time hires to get the lowdown on how their internship experience set them up for success and advance their careers.

The Col-Pal Internship Put Learning And Real-World Experience Hand-In-Hand

Let’s start with Woodrow, who went from Customer Development Intern to Retail Marketing Specialist in under five years. “I was working on projects that were going to be used to inform actual business decisions,” he told WayUp. One of Woodrow’s primary responsibilities was digging into data and analytics to evaluate manual toothbrush performance. His findings were vital as it pertained to coming up with a new marketing strategy — and it’s something he’s extremely grateful for, “to allow an intern to manage and overlook that was a pretty big deal,” he said. 

One reason Woodrow found the Colgate-Palmolive program to be incredibly eye-opening was because he was able to apply the key marketing concepts he’d learned in college into the workplace. “In class, you’re learning the concepts, but they may not always stick because you’re not seeing real-world examples,” he said. However, as a Colgate-Palmolive intern, Woodrow was able to grasp a better understanding of both sales and marketing principles. Upon returning to campus for senior year, Woodrow said he “felt so much more present” in his classes based on the opportunities he was afforded as an intern. 

Shernelle, who started at the company as a Product Development Intern, agreed. “I learned so much about what it’s like to be in this industry and how to make products,” she said. Seven years later, Shernelle is now a Research and Development Technician. While Shernelle received ample training as an intern, she found that the program’s emphasis on hands-on experience was even more valuable — as was the opportunity to interact with managers, scientists, fellow interns, and other like-minded individuals. 

Colgate-Palmolive Encourages Interns to Network with Senior Leaders

“I just remember feeling at home,” Woodrow said. “Everyone made an effort to get to know us, to support us, to offer themselves as a resource.” He also noted Colgate-Palmolive’s open-door policy, which allowed him to network with senior executives. “Early in your career, you want to feel that you have a sense of community and that people are invested in your success. Colgate facilitated that very well, I felt that from day one.” 

In fact, one of Woodrow’s favorite memories as a Colgate-Palmolive intern was when one of the senior leaders walked over to the interns and personally invited them to join in on a lunch outing. At the restaurant, the executive went out of his way to ask the interns about their career aspirations and their lives outside of work. “It really made me feel like part of the Colgate family,” he said. 

Woodrow wasn’t the only intern to have a positive experience at Colgate-Palmolive. Just take it from Sumbul, a former Quality Assurance Intern and current Project Engineer. “The first thing I realized about Colgate was that they do an amazing job of linking you up with the right people,” she told WayUp. “What differentiated Colgate as a company was that it’s a huge company, but you still get recognition for what you’re doing. You know that you’re adding value and that your projects mattered.” 

As an intern on the Product Development team, Shernelle agreed whole-heartedly. “Colgate is full of people who care,” she said, before continuing: “Everyone cares about your growth and wellbeing, and they’re always trying to help you.”   

Careers Are Created (And Skyrocketed) At Colgate-Palmolive

Woodrow’s, Sumbul’s, and Shernelle’s stories aren’t all that rare — at least not at Colgate-Palmolive. Their internship program is a place where careers in marketing, engineering, HR, and beyond all begin — and continue to grow.

Sumbul reinforced how grateful she was that Colgate-Palmolive trusted and empowered her to lead her own projects.” At the same time, she received ample support from her manager through frequent check-ins. “My manager did regular check-ins with me. She wanted me to try projects on my own, but if I needed her, she’d be there for me,” she said. 

And the beautiful thing is, when you grow at Colgate-Palmolive, you help others do so, too.“We love passing the torch here. I’ve been involved with the hiring process and mentoring for our incoming associates. I’m also a mentor for the internship program now,” Sumbul said.

Intrigued? Check out open opportunities at Colgate-Palmolive on WayUp!

The post Here’s Why Every College Student Should Want to Intern at Colgate-Palmolive appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This past July, WayUp celebrated its fourth annual National Intern Day, and we are thrilled to announce our Intern 100 list for 2020. The list highlights the most ambitious, passionate, and talented interns in the country, and this year we had over 80,000 public votes cast! While there were an incredible amount of great candidates, only one could be named Intern of the Year. And the winner is…Dorien Baker! 

Dorien spent his summer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Intern. We sat down with Dorien to learn more about his experience, background, and career goals for the future.

What College Do You Go To? And What Do You Major In?

Morehouse College, Economics

How/Why Did You Choose Morehouse College?

When I participated in admitted-students events in the country, many of the schools felt like there wasn’t anything special about them. It was like you were a product on a factory line, and their job was to continue building on their students the exact same way. There were some tours that I did not feel welcome on and heard things about racial issues on campus and saw political posters that made me feel uncomfortable and not safe. At Morehouse, my first impression was very different. Despite some of the differences in infrastructure resources between other schools I toured, Morehouse was the only school that I felt at home at. There were a lot of students from Chicago that I could relate to, and there were people like Dr. Sewell, Dr. Elu, and Mr. Goodgame whom I met during the tours and who later helped me every step of the way to have an opportunity for success. It was impressed on me that the mission of Morehouse is to give us the tools to be leaders who are well-read, well-spoken, well-traveled, well-dressed, and well-balanced, and I knew that this was something that I wanted for myself and that it was worth the price.

Why Did You Select Economics For Your Major?

I have always had an interest in financial services. In high school, I was interning with investment banks and worked on many different projects in the field. Many people get a degree in Finance or Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, but they miss the broad perspective of how global economics significantly impacts the industry. Ultimately, I see an Economics degree as the fundamental knowledge needed to work in finance and then later I can choose either an MBA, CFA, or both for the detailed knowledge.

How Did You Land Your Internship At The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network?

The director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Kenneth A. Blanco, visited Morehouse in February 2019 to give a talk on virtual currencies, cybersecurity, human trafficking, terrorism, and FinCEN’s role as a regulator and enforcement agency on these topics. Later in the day, Morehouse set up an event for campus student leadership to meet with the Director and his team to learn more about some of the issues that FinCEN covers. I connected with the Director and stayed in touch with him over the past year and a half, and he even set me up with a private tour of the U.S. Treasury Building in the White House complex. When we met last summer, he informed me that FinCEN was building their internship program and wanted to know my thoughts and experiences from past internships. Earlier this year he informed me that the application went live and the rest is history.

Can You Talk About A Mentor You’ve Had In Your Career? How Did That Person Affect You?

I have had countless mentors over the years, many of which have helped me in different ways. Director Blanco from FinCEN is helping me to become a leader; Dr. Sewell from Morehouse is helping me to make a change and leave a legacy at Morehouse as a student leader; Samantha Fields from the City of Chicago has helped me navigate workplace politics and learn how a city is run, and so on and so forth. In my experience, a great mentor is not someone who is trying to help you go down a path of success because there are many people out there with advice and their own definitions of success that may differ from yours. A great mentor is someone who can invest knowledge in you to develop your own understanding of the world and be able to support you while also taking a hands-off approach to let you navigate your own path with the knowledge you have given them.

Plenty of people have offered “the map” for success as if everyone is starting from the same place and ending with the same destination. I try to find mentors who know the pillars of success and are willing to teach them to me so that I can have them in my toolbox.

What Would Be Your Dream Job?

Hands down if I could do anything without the thought of salaries or location I would work with a major fashion house or an automotive company like LVMH or Mercedes Benz. I’d love to do something fun like creating and marketing new products to consumers and speaking at events to educate people about the brand.

What Advice Do You Have For Other Interns? 

As a high school or college student, this is the only point in your life where you won’t have a great number of immediate financial obligations. Many of my peers focus on the immediate pay that they could gain from an internship and not the experience. In high school, I had three internships. One at a major investment bank where I made less than $1,500, another at a globally ranked museum where I made less than $1,000, and one in the mayor’s office where I worked for free, all while my peers were making several thousands of dollars.

However, when I look at my peers now, there are people who aren’t getting opportunities because they lack the experience and there are things that I learned 5 years ago that people are learning right now. When you are young, the experience is the most valuable thing you can get. At the collegiate level, you’ll be indirectly competing with others on a global playing field. Some of those people might come from very privileged backgrounds and have the resources to make their own experiences like starting a company and making $100K+ while in high school, or parents who are executives at companies and can get you & your friends internships.

You have to take advantage of all the opportunities you can, even if you have to pay for them yourself. Working for the City of Chicago put me well ahead of the curve, but when I spoke to my friends, many of them said they wouldn’t work for free and have to pay out of pocket for transportation and meals. Now, that is something that when I apply for opportunities and people find out I did that in high school, they are immediately impressed. The money will come later in life. For now, take advantage of all of the opportunities you can.

2020’s Intern 100 List

Dorien is not alone in accomplishing great things this summer! This year’s Top 100 Intern list represents over 70 different companies and students from all over the nation! Congratulations to the full list of Top 100 Interns—we are so excited to see all that you accomplish in your futures!

As a company, we also recognized that this year, many had either lost their internship or struggled to find one due to COVID-19. As such, we were committed to celebrating all types of students in this ever-changing, evolving world. We are excited to announce that Aja Sparks was selected to win our professional development career package after hearing their inspiring story of what they did this summer to stay focused on their career.

The post Introducing 2020’s Intern 100 List! appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You may not run into anyone like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Albus Dumbledore, or Oprah Winfrey at your workplace, but if you are familiar with any of them, you know something about mentors. Impressively wise and undeniably successful, mentors advise and nurture the lucky individuals who have come under their wing. In fact, it may seem that without a mentor, you will be at a serious disadvantage. So how do you find a mentor, and why would anyone want to take the job in the first place?

First, a definition: mentoring is a learning partnership that facilitates the professional and personal growth of both people in the mentoring relationship. A mentor can also be a supervisor, but does not have to be. Successful mentoring relationships can occur within pairs who have similar personalities and interests, but both partners can learn a great deal when the mentor and the mentee have different temperaments and backgrounds.

You may think that the way to go is to have one and only one mentor throughout your career, that is no longer the case. One size does not fit all, especially when it is the norm to change jobs and even careers several times during your working years. Moreover, there are different types of advice and support that you can use from different types of mentors at different stages in your career.

Connecting with a mentor can happen in different ways. I have been fortunate in my career to have been mentored by two of my direct supervisors. This can happen when there is good personal chemistry. When the junior person works hard and demonstrates an openness to feedback, then the mentor believes the relationship can be beneficial to both.

In some organizations, mentoring programs are formalized and employees are assigned mentors. Having a mentor assigned to you can be great, and sometimes these relationships grow to the point where the mentor becomes a sponsor. A sponsor is a senior professional who is willing to put you up for promotion and/or introduce you to their network, and otherwise actively work to advance your career. Remember that a mentor is an important advisor and coach, but does not necessarily take action to get you into your next job.

If your boss is not an appropriate mentor and your organization has no formal program, you will need to find a mentor on your own. It is not cool to say to a senior colleague “Will you be my mentor?”  This is a relationship that needs to be developed. If there is someone in your organization or in your field who you admire, try to get involved in projects or initiatives that include that person as well. If this isn’t possible, ask your potential mentor to meet with you for advice, and bring specific questions. If this meeting goes well, you are on your way to developing a mentor.

So why would anyone voluntarily spend time helping another person with their career? When I discuss this with colleagues who, like me, have mentored new career counselors, we agree that we benefit from these relationships as much as the mentees do.  As a mentor, I practice my skills as a supervisor, teacher and coach. I learn new perspectives, especially when my mentee and I are in different generations—for example, how that generation is using technology, especially social media. Then there is the pure enjoyment of helping someone grow professionally, and being able to be there as that growth happens.

As you’re starting out, be open to opportunities to be mentored, but keep in mind that mentoring may be an even greater career building experience.

Susan Loffredo has been an Associate Director of Career Development at Northeastern University since 2001.  She has studied French literature, earned degrees in counseling and journalism, worked in corporate, non-profit and educational settings and is the mother of two daughters. She has benefitted from both mentoring and being mentored.

The post The Mentor and the Mentee appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are learning experiences, but they’re also (usually) full-time jobs. And whether you’re a marketer or an engineer or a recruiter-in-the-making, you’re not just there to learn about your field. You’re there to practice it.

And at WW—the rebranded, newly tech-focused company once known as Weight Watchers—interns aren’t making any coffee runs. Under the guidance of mentors and expert managers, they’re working on projects that have a real impact on the WW product.

But don’t take our word for it. Hear it from the interns themselves. Here are five ways WW interns have seriously impacted the company—and their careers—for good.

1. Creating An Accessibility Lab To Open Their Product To Even More People

Leah wants to make the world more accessible—and her summer internship at WW gave her the opportunity to do just that. As a member of the WW Accessibility team, Leah was able to work on a proposal for a game-changing project: a dedicated Accessible Innovations Lab.

The project, at first, seemed a little daunting.

“This was my first time creating a proposal, but my manager provided invaluable mentorship and guidance throughout the process,” Leah said.

The lab would be a space where product and tech people could come to test their various designs and theories with accessibility devices to determine compatibility and optimize for accessibility. Beyond the benefits to the WW community members, Leah was able to learn some important foundational skills.

“We approached this problem in the same way that Product Managers do,” Leah said. “After speaking to numerous experts within WW, I was able to use the RICE prioritization model, create a viable product roadmap, classify our project’s MVPs (minimum viable products), KPIs (key performance indicators), and use them to plan for future iterations.”

2. Building Three New Features In An ‘Agile’ Environment

Srineetha worked as a Product Management intern on the Studio Tech team. They manage the WW app with millions of users around the globe.

“I had an amazing learning experience with a steep learning curve where I learned about everything from requirements gathering and UI/UX design to engineering and QA in an agile environment,” she said.

Agile is a method of tech product development employed by some of the world’s most lauded tech companies. Learning to be a Product Manager in an Agile environment makes Srineetha a competitive applicant for future roles at WW and beyond. And all that learning wasn’t taking place in a classroom setting, either.

“My manager was extremely supportive and gave me the freedom to lead the process, which I’m grateful for as I’m a strong believer in learning by doing,” Srineetha explained. “One highlight of my internship was deciphering the B2B side of the studio business by talking to stakeholders from across the world.”

3. Learning A New Programming Language And Working On The Android App

Swetha spent her summer internship working on the Android development team as a Software Engineering intern.

“I even had the opportunity to learn a new language called Kotlin during my very first task,” Swetha says. “My team was very supportive, which allowed me to make important contributions.”

Her professional development wasn’t just confined to technical skills either. Through networking events and Lunch ‘n Learns, Swetha was able to interact with and learn from various C-suite executives like the CEO, Chief Product Officer, and Chief Technology Officer. She and the other interns also participated in mock interview sessions to hone their skills for the post-grad job hunt.

“As a young female engineer in tech, I’ve found WW to be an inspiring work environment to be in,” Swetha said. “I’m confident that the skills and experience I’ve gained will help me find success after graduation.”

4. Contributing To The Codebase Of A Multibillion-Dollar Company

“One thing that separates WW from other companies is that we have a chance to contribute to the codebase of the company,” said Songren, a former AI Full Stack Software Engineering Intern.

A codebase is the selection of source code that serves as the foundation of a company’s tech product. And as a multibillion-dollar wellness technology company, contributing to the codebase isn’t a task they take lightly.

“Interns are not treated differently. Instead, we work closely with full-time employees,” he added.

Over the course of his internship, Songren was able to work alongside industry experts in the fields of AI and engineering—and the code he worked on became a part of that foundational codebase. How’s that for making a mark?

5. Improving The User Experience, By Talking To Actual Users

“This summer, I worked with the Experience Research team to conduct qualitative research by interviewing WW members,” another former WW intern, Ashten, said. “It’s been really rewarding to hear how WW has changed the lives of so many individuals.”

Even more so than that, Ashten gathered invaluable user experience data that she later had the challenge of compiling into actionable, impactful recommendations.

“Learning more about members’ needs through these interviews helps the Product and Tech teams design tools for wellness that really work,” Ashten said.

This hunt for valuable user data also provided her with a wealth of interesting and educative experiences.

“One of the highlights of my summer was attending studio workshops in the Bay Area,” Ashten says. “Although I arrived with the intention of simply recruiting members for research opportunities, I left feeling inspired by the community, the coaches, and the experience of seeing WW’s mission in action.”

Want to get inspired—and inspire others? Check out internship opportunities at WW on WayUp!

The post 5 Ways WW Interns Seriously Changed The Company—And Their Careers—For Good appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

David Chung has one of the coolest jobs you can think of: He designs basketball shoes at one of the world’s leading athletic apparel and performance footwear brands, Under Armour.

We sat down with David to find out what it’s actually like to have a dream job like his—and how Under Armour’s company culture makes it even better.

How did you get started in design?

I wanted to design cars, but even though I loved all of the sketching, it was a lot of aesthetics and I wanted something where the design was more functional. So, I switched majors to product design.

For footwear, there’s still a lot of sketching involved, but you’re able to think a little more about the function of things for athletes and the construction of how things are built. And once you start to introduce the color, material, and finish of the shoe, it starts to get really intriguing.

And how did that lead you to Under Armour?

I grew up playing soccer, and I always wanted to have the coolest cleats. So, I kept drawing different shoes and opportunities started to come up. One was a design competition hosted by Under Armour. I didn’t win but from there I built a lot of relationships, which led to me getting an internship in the Portland office. And there I did two internships and then landed a full-time job a year later.

What was it like interning as a Footwear Designer and what kinds of projects did you work on?

My first shoe was in the basketball category, and I was really able to learn a lot from everyone around me. It was more of a blue-sky project, so my team was really pushing to see what I could do and what my creative limits were.

But it also taught me a lot about how to do things in the real world. It’s not just all about sketching or making things look good, but more technical things and how you actually make the product.

What are some of these real-world designer skills that you learned on the job?

I was able to work with our materials teammate to try to formulate different materials that would work for the shoe. Plus, the designers showed me how to make a tech pack, which is what you would send to the factory to have them build your shoe. That includes stuff like the material map, too, which is a template to show the factory which materials you’re choosing.

So, would you say it’s true that some of those key skills that you might not have learned in school you were able to pick up by working closely with your team at UA?

Definitely, because at school we focus a lot on execution like model-making, storytelling, and sketching, but when it comes to tech packs, material maps, and thinking about manufacturing and working with developers, you need to learn through experience. Luckily, the environment I was in was a teaching one, and I was able to really learn a lot about the industry.

How has life changed as a full-time employee? Are you doing a lot of the same stuff?

Some of it is the same, but it has a lot more weight to it now. The stuff you’re making is definitely going to come out, so there’s a bit more pressure, but it’s exciting because you’re able to really express your creativity through a product that’s going to be out in the market for people to see.

The culture has been awesome as well. I’m able to not only talk about work and shoes with my co-workers, but really be a part of their lives. Some of my closest friends are from Under Armour. And they teach me a ton about shoes!

What was it like to wear the first shoe that you designed?

My first shoe hasn’t come out yet, but I was able to get my first official sample a little while ago. And since I’m in the basketball category, I was able to actually play in them. I learned a lot about what I would do differently, which is the point of the sample. But at the same time, it was just so rewarding knowing that I made this shoe and it’s really coming out.

What advice do you have for creatives who might be intimidated by working for a big company?

It can be intimidating, but working at a developed organization like Under Armour really helps you grow not only as a creative, but also as a businessperson. There are a lot more things that go into design than just a pretty sketch or a good-looking shoe. Working in a big company allows you to really get exposure to that and learn a lot. And I’m not the most outspoken person, but this job can push you to go out of your comfort zone and assert yourself. You really become a leader and a better teammate that way.

What’s it like working in the Portland Design Office?

It’s a big brand, but the Portland office is a lot smaller. It’s only 80 to 100 people, and you know everyone in the office. We’re all designers, developers, and materials teammates, so it’s a great culture. Our work-life balance is awesome as well.

What’s something everyone who’s considering a design role at Under Armour should know?

We haven’t been in the game as long as some of our competitors, but coming to UA as an intern and really seeing what people are working on and seeing how great the end product is, it’s really exciting and inspiring to be a part of that.

Ready to start designing your future? Check out open opportunities at Under Armour on WayUp!

The post Q&A With An Under Armour Footwear Designer (Who Started As An Intern) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Before Nico was a rising star in L’Oréal’s management development program (called “Pépinière” after the French word for a tree nursery), he was a college sophomore with a wide range of interests, a ton of ambition, and basically no idea how to get where he wanted to go.

That is, until one weekend during his sophomore year changed the direction of Nico’s career.

We spoke to Nico about his journey to the job he never knew he wanted at L’Oréal and how their Sophomore Seminar weekend program started his journey there.

How did you come to work at L’Oréal? How did you hear about the Sophomore Seminar?

So, really since I started college, I’ve been used to using both sides of my brain. As a freshman, I thought about becoming a designer, but I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into using just one side of my brain.

[Nico is referring to the idea that the “right side” of the brain is used for creativity, expression, and imagination, whereas the “left side” is used for more analysis, math, and logic.]

I went to NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. That’s where you make your own major. Mine focused on Fashion Business and Marketing. I also minored in Psychology. I took business and marketing classes but also mixed in a lot of interdisciplinary, theoretical courses.

My sophomore year, while I was interning at a media company as a marketing intern, I got an email from WayUp saying, ‘L’Oréal wanted me to apply.’  In full transparency, I thought it might’ve been fake. Why would they want me? I hadn’t really done anything yet. I was a sophomore!

But I applied, because, ‘Why not?’ At this point, I’m a sophomore and I’m trying to do anything and everything that will help me gain exposure into a potential career. So, I submitted my resume, cover letter, and a few short answers about why I’d be interested in the program.

Before I knew it, I was on this massive escalator in Hudson Yards heading toward this huge brass sign that said, ‘’L’Oréal.’ I was like, ‘Wow, there’s this huge company and they’re interested in me and value my input and opinion.’

What was the Sophomore Seminar program like?

The first day was a deep dive into the company. We had leaders come in from all four divisions: Consumer, Active Cosmetics, Professional Products, and Luxury. They talked to us about what they’re doing today; what the market has historically looked like; and what the future might hold.

That was the first day, then we did something called a “Retail Safari.” That’s when you go into a store and see what the consumer is seeing when they go to buy your products. We visited a Duane Reade, a Sephora, and a Bloomingdale’s.

It was so interesting to hear leaders speak on each of these brands in such a business-savvy way, and then to go into the stores and see the actual fruit of their labor.

The next day, we did a business case and debrief. The business case involved Garnier hair care products. It was about 30 minutes of work, then we all gave 5-minute presentations. It was all very casual, but you still felt like your opinion mattered, so you wanted to do a good job. After that the day was over, and I was like, ‘Oh, that was a great experience, but I’m not really expecting a career to come out of it.’

And that’s not because they didn’t communicate it to us where it could lead, but because I was a sophomore and I didn’t see the potential in myself that they saw in me.

Fast forward and it’s halfway through junior year. The HR business partners I met emailed me to say they were coming to campus for an info session with former interns. It was a great opportunity to learn more, so I applied. Two Skype interviews later, I received an offer to join the internship program that summer.

I was just over the moon. Coming from a non-business background, this whole recruiting world wasn’t very familiar to me. I expected myself to be a graduating senior looking for a creative agency or marketing job, but I was a junior who had already secured a summer internship like four months in advance, so that was a whole new world to me.

Tell us about your internship experience.

I was placed in the Luxe division on Lancome doing Consumer Relations Management, Loyalty, and Omnimedia. It was a wide breadth of subjects, but all kind of digitally based.

The summer internship combines two things: your day-to-day stuff and your final project. And L’Oréal is definitely there for you when you need them, but they also encourage you to forge your own path. That can be intimidating at first, especially if you’re someone who hadn’t been in a corporate environment before like me.

What did you do to secure a full-time offer? What made you accept?

After I figured out how to ask the right questions and find the right people, I really started to flourish and enjoy my time at L’Oréal. It can be daunting being in a class of something like 60 summer interns. It makes you wonder how you can stand out. But I realized that I just had to focus on myself and my work and hope that the company would see and appreciate that. And it turned out they did, so I got a full-time offer, which I was thrilled about.

I never saw myself working in a corporate environment. Something that I really came to value during my time at school was my sense of individuality. But I saw how committed L’Oréal is to developing you as a marketer and as an individual and I was trying to think of other companies that do that. Nowhere else really compared.

What has it been like since you started full-time?

If you receive an offer after your summer internship, you’re placed in the Marketing Associate Program—called Pépinière internally, which in English translates to something like ‘tree nursery.’ So, it’s really about this desire to develop and improve talent. I started three weeks ago, and it’ll have been a month of onboarding and training next week. My next step is to spend a month with my team. I’ll be with YSLBeauty.com. And then I’ll be placed in the field, doing a sales rotation. So, we go into stores where our products are sold and help merchandise them. We talk with not only consumers, but also our brand ambassadors in the store. It really helps us attain holistic knowledge about the buying cycle.

You know, we can make these decisions in the corporate office, but seeing the real-world ramifications of them is important. So, we spend four days a week on the sales rotation and then we spend one day in the office to keep tabs with our team and network with people outside our division. Throughout that time, we’re also developing a final project that combines what we learn in our sales rotation and what we’re doing at the office. It’s kind of like the interdisciplinary classes I took at school.

To come full circle, that’s one of my favorite aspects of working at L’Oréal: You get to use your left and right brain to develop this holistic picture. Because there’s no 2-D consumer, at the end of the day, everyone has a myriad of factors playing into their decisions. And I definitely feel like if you can develop interdisciplinary skills and apply them to the consumer journey, then you can create a happy consumer and a business that just works out better for everyone.

We’ll have our final presentation after that and then we slowly integrate into the company as Assistant Managers. And from there, the world is ours.

In your opinion, why should people who might not typically apply to L’Oréal consider working there?

They really look to new talent and new people within the company to disrupt in a meaningful way. They’re the number one beauty company in the world for a reason: They have processes and best practices that are running at full speed. But the only way these processes can stay relevant is to inject new perspectives and experiences into the mix. And, of course, the way to find these new perspectives is through new talent.

I didn’t want to be lost in a corporate environment—and I wasn’t. L’Oréal really gives you the opportunity to earn a seat at the table. Your input is just as valued and listened to as senior managers who have maybe been there for 10 years or more.

If you had asked me when I was a graduating senior from high school where I was going to be in four years, I could not have guessed it would be L’Oréal. Not because I was averse to it, but just because it wasn’t on my radar. To me, L’Oréal was L’Oréal Paris, which is just one brand. There’s this whole portfolio of brands that everybody knows, but people aren’t aware that it’s all part of this package that’s one brand—and that’s L’Oréal.  And I can see myself here for the long run.

Want to kickstart your career over the course of a weekend? Check out upcoming events and open opportunities from L’Oréal on WayUp!

The post How One Weekend My Sophomore Year Started My Career—A Q&A With A Marketing Rising Star appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Fall, winter, spring, and summer can all be referred to when discussing the duration of an internship, but, what about an externship? The only proper way to answer this question is with an ambiguous statement of “well, it depends.”

What is an Externship?

The simplest externship definition is to job shadow an individual, typically a respected professional within an industry or workplace a student has interest in pursuing. Externships are typically held for short time period lasting anywhere from a single day to eight weeks and are often held over a student’s winter or spring break whereas internships tend to be eight weeks long at minimum.

Differences between Externships and Internships

The other major difference between externships and internships are that externships typically are unpaid and the student usually doesn’t receive school credit for their experience. Even though the student is directly in the workplace, they’re still only shadowing the professional or group of professionals rather than having work delegated and projects assigned, such as one would have in an internship. The top aspect to remember when deciphering the difference of an externship versus an internship is that externships are used mainly to explore interests and curiosities whereas internships act as the bridge from student life to professional life.

For example, a finance student desperate for real world experience within the industry would most likely hold a fall or summer finance internship for a well known finance company such as Sequoia Capital. On the other side, a finance student who only had a single week free in summer might hold an externship with the CFO of Kiva, still gaining valuable experience but holding it for a shorter duration and mainly for observational purposes.

How to get an Externship?

But wait, how would a student land an externship with a CFO you ask? This can be answered with the use of a single tool – professional networking. A student should spend time harnessing powerful tools available such as browsing connections on Linkedin, asking professors for introductions to past colleagues, or watching campus guest speakers and meeting them once their presentation is over. Networking is often overlooked, so tap into it and land your next externship.

In the end, both externships and internships are extremely beneficial for a student of any major. The trick is proper time management to know which is the best fit, at the given time.

The post Externship vs. Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The first time Vedika heard of Brunswick Group, she was reading a job description for their summer internship program on WayUp. Minutes later, she was already sure she had found a match. How did she know?

“I actually enjoyed the application process itself,” Vedika—an intern-turned-full-time analyst at the strategic communications and public relations firm—explains. “The questions they asked me weren’t just limited to ‘What are you hoping to get out of this?’ They asked me to take a writing test, write a news analysis piece, and write a press release. And that was all before they even gave me an interview.”

While some people might be discouraged by the company’s thorough vetting process, Vedika found the challenge “fascinating.”

That was just the beginning of her story. As a member of the Brunswick Group team, she’s worked with clients across industries, published her written work in the firm’s respected communications journal, and picked up more skills than she ever imagined she would. After all that, she decided to go full-time.

To find out more about the company’s elite internship program—and how it launched her career as a communications professional—we sat down with Vedika.

Training For—And Actually Doing—High-Stakes Work

One of Vedika’s favorite features of the program was its combination of structure and responsibility.

“The internship program is so well structured,” she tells us. “You do two weeks of internship training, learning a lot, observing a lot. And then you’re placed into teams where you’re applying everything.”

And applying her training meant doing more than just writing press releases or planning events. They were handling big-picture strategy for clients across industries and with a variety of goals. But that’s just how Brunswick Group works, Vedika says.

“For me it’s more fun to completely change a company’s image than it is to help them release just one new product. I wanted to work for a company that was more strategic,” she explains. “But Brunswick does it all, so even as an intern, I didn’t have to choose.”

But it wasn’t just the program that allowed Vedika to take on challenging tasks, it was her desire for a greater challenge.

“No matter what, you’re not doing small things,” she says. “And if you take initiative, you’re doing big things.”

Publishing In An Acclaimed Journal Of Communications—While She Was Still An Intern

And Vedika was right about initiative, too. After expressing interest, she was able to contribute to the Brunswick Review, the company’s well-regarded industry journal covering different angles of business, communications, and policy.

“I like to write, and I really expressed interest, so I was allowed to do smaller things for them at first,” Vedika says. “I would proof copy, compile research, and help with article pitches.”

After a while Vedika realized that she had everything she needed for an article in the Brunswick Review, so she pitched it to one of her superiors—and they said to give it a shot.

The piece she ended up writing was a look at the “charms and eccentricities” of the Indian consumer market through the lens of an interview with her own father. Not only was it an excellent addition to her professional portfolio, but also she was able to genuinely add value to a leading industry journal.

Making A Smooth Transition From Intern To Full-Time

So, with all that under her belt as an intern, you might be wondering what her transition to full-time employee has been like.

The simple answer: It’s mostly the same, but the stakes are even higher.

“I get to do a little more analytical work, and create things more,” Vedika says. “As an intern, I was doing the research behind the end document, now I do everything. I’m responsible for all stages of the deliverable. I get to make real recommendations to important clients.”

And that kind of responsibility suits her just fine.

Want to write your own story (literally) at a company that challenges their interns? Search for open opportunities from Brunswick Group on WayUp!

The post High-Profile Clients, Journal Articles, And A Full-Time Job Offer: How This Internship Launched My Strategic Advisory Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Nearly everyone has heard of Dow Jones. Whether it’s for their prestigious publications like the Wall Street Journal or their world-class data and analytics services, the company has made its mark on the business world.

Dow Jones has also made its mark as an employer, especially with their internship program. In fact, they were named as one of 2019’s Top 100 Internship Programs. To get a little more insight as to how—and why—the Dow Jones intern experience lives up to the company’s reputation for excellence, we spoke to a few current and former Dow Jones interns.

Here’s what they told us.

1. Work In The Financial World—With A Creative, Collaborative Culture

“The best part about working here is the culture. People want to see you succeed here,” Brandon, a Media Sales intern, explains.

He’s referring, of course, to Dow Jones’s celebrated culture of training and internal mobility. Whether it’s training to help you transition roles or mentorship from managers, Brandon says, “there is a team of people here in talent development who are constantly putting on training sessions and webinars for people to learn more.”

While that’s an opportunity most people don’t get until they start their first entry-level role, Dow Jones offers these trainings to their intern team members. And that’s just one example of how Dow Jones blends the fast-paced finance world with the collaborative culture of a media company.

2. High-Stakes Projects And Responsibilities That Genuinely Touch The Business

Of course, with great training comes great responsibility. And that’s one thing that every Dow Jones intern emphasized to us: You get real work, right away.

“At the Dow Jones internship, there is no busy work or coffee runs. Interns are given real projects that directly serve their immediate teams and business areas,” Winston, a two-time summer intern, explains.

One intern shared her work on a data analysis project that affected all new hires for a fiscal year; another told us about a new solution he produced for the Customer Data Platform. All of this responsibility, of course, is only possible because Dow Jones interns are treated like real members of their teams.

3. The Capstone Competition

Chief among that business-critical work is your capstone project—and the subsequent competition.

“All interns are given the opportunity to develop a new event, product, or marketing campaign for the Wall Street Journal’s Student Memberships team,” Winston tells us. “These group projects are then judged in two rounds by senior-level managers with the hopes that the best idea can be brought to life and implemented by the company.”

Not only can you help drive the business forward, you can also network and build a lasting reputation for yourself at the company.

4. Intern Events That Connect You With Senior Leaders (And Are A Ton Of Fun)

A rich calendar of events is one of the key features of Dow Jones’s elite internship program.

“Dow Jones also organized an array of events for the interns. These events were extremely informational and most of them had participation from our executive committee, which was a great opportunity,” says Eesha, who started an intern and has since successfully transitioned to a full-time role at the company.

So whether you’re attending professional panels packed with c-suite executives—including the company’s chief executive—or you’re going on a social scavenger hunt through downtown Princeton, you’ll be finding yourself growing as a professional, and as a person alongside your fellow interns.

5. You’ll Learn From Successful Pros In A Hyper-Competitive Space

“The media landscape is changing,” Brandon explains. “And that makes it a great time to join Dow Jones, because new people at the company can be a part of the innovation in the media space.”

With prestigious brands like the Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Factiva, and Barron’s under the same roof, Dow Jones is responsible for a wide array of innovative and industry-leading business practices—and that’s something you can be a part of as an intern. Working alongside successful people in an industry that’s constantly shifting with the course of technology and consumer trends is the perfect way to practice for a fast-paced career.

“Dow Jones heavily invests in each intern to equip them with industry knowledge and professional skills to flourish in any setting,” Eesha says. “And one of the projects that help prepare me the most was analyzing pay data in the EMEA region and presenting that data to the VP of Recruitment.”

And the projects weren’t the only way that Eesha and her peers learned from experienced Dow Jones leaders.

“All of the interns were assigned a mentor for the 10 weeks,” Eesha tells us. “We discussed our not only our daily projects but also our career goals and path.”

6. Join A Culture That’s Diverse—In More Ways Than You’d Expect

With so many different business areas, diversity is a necessity for Dow Jones. As thought leaders in the diversity and inclusion space, they’re acutely aware of the business benefits that diverse teams can bring to a company—and what it takes to get there. That’s something that all of the Dow Jones interns noticed during their time with the company.

“The culture of Dow Jones encourages great people to be themselves. Each person is treated with kindness and respect,” Brandon says.

And that respect wasn’t just for differences in background or beliefs, it was a wider understanding that everyone’s unique skill sets and ways of thinking—throughout the company—contribute to the mission.

“There is a place for each person in the company whether they are in technology, marketing, newsroom, design, sales, etc. Each department and role is crucial to the success of the company,” he says.

Want to find your place in a diverse organization dedicated to your growth? Check out open opportunities with Dow Jones on WayUp!

The post 6 Reasons Why Interning At Dow Jones Is The Perfect Way To Spend Your Summer (And Start Your Career) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The post Take This Quiz To Find Your Best Intern Life—At A Company You Might’ve Never Guessed appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

On New Year’s Eve of 2019, hundreds of thousands of people were tuning in to watch the festivities in Times Square. And no, we’re not talking about the traditional ball drop. We’re talking about Tyler “Ninja” Blevins streaming Fortnite: Battle Royale—the sensational video game played, watched, and streamed billions of times since its launch in 2017.

Across the world, months earlier, on a snowy platform in South Korea’s Jeongseon Alpine Center, Lindsey Vonn, the most accomplished female downhill skier of all time, is photographed in preparation for her 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic run.

What do these exceptional champions have in common? Their stories are told, at least in part, by Red Bull. Ninja and Lindsey Vonn are just two of many high-performing athletes in sports ranging from the traditional to the extreme under the umbrella of Red Bull’s sponsorship.

Here’s a look at Red Bull’s unparalleled brand and marketing strategy—and why that makes it the perfect place to intern.

Red Bull Is A Brand Built On Amazing Stories

Red Bull is one of those brands that’s so omnipresent, it can be easy to forget that they make energy drinks. You’ll see their logo on Olympic athletes and NBA players; plastered on half-pipes at the X-Games; and even on the (literal) wings of stunt planes.

Red Bull has put its name on so many exceptional things that it’s hard not to associate the brand with the exceptional energy of its sponsored people and projects.

And this is pretty great for its employees. Not only do they seek out and document endeavors that they (and so many others) find awe-inspiring and noteworthy, but they do so in a way that makes Red Bull a part of something greater than an energy drink. Red Bull is now a part of the culture of exceptional people and unique accomplishments.

How did they become a ubiquitous brand? Through tireless event sponsorship, groundbreaking visual media, and constant presence. By telling the story of all types of exceptional people, from gamers like Ninja to Olympians like Vonn and even competitive lumberjacks like Matt Cogar (although he prefers the term “timbersports”), they’ve done it in a way that can connect with everyone.

Even things like the famous Red Bull Mini Coopers and other on-campus marketing are part of the story.

That type of excellence in media and storytelling makes the brand successful, year after year, despite stiff competition in the performance drinks market.

It also makes it the perfect place to start and grow your career.

Why Red Bull’s Storytelling Excellence Makes It The Perfect Place To Intern

Many of the disciplines in Red Bull’s internship program not only benefit from, but participate in, the incredible storytelling efforts. Red Bull offers internships in Marketing, Sales & Distribution, Communications, Finance, and—of course—Media.

80 percent of those internship offerings deal directly with telling Red Bull’s story: to consumers, to fans, to anyone who’s willing to listen. Whether you’re finding people in a store, on their computers, at an event, or watching TV, you’re telling them a story.

Red Bull’s breakthrough methods in brand building, marketing, media, and sales have made them one of the most successful companies in the world. Interning with this team is an opportunity to learn from the best, and prove yourself on a major stage.

Plus, learning from Red Bull professionals means learning about recently pioneered methods that simply won’t have made it to your marketing, advertising, and media textbooks yet. Learning the newest methods and philosophies will make you a better professional and a more desirable candidate when it comes to finding a full-time job.

Need more examples? Take a look at Red Bull’s superb Media House and Student Marketeer programs. Not sure which program to apply to? Start with their Wingfinder quiz, a personality and aptitude test that provides a full report of your skills, weaknesses, career recommendations.

Want to learn more? Check out Red Bull’s US internship program page.

The post This Company Tells The Story Of Elite Athletes, E-Sports Champions, And More appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Are you counting down the days to the end of your school year? Maybe you’ve got a few exams left or maybe you’re already home free. Either way, one thing is coming up whether you’re ready or not: summer internship season.

If you’re sitting in your dorm or childhood bedroom right now and thinking, “I haven’t applied for a single internship,” then do not despair. New internships are showing up every day on WayUp because—believe it or not—there are always more opportunities opening up at companies.

If you’re internship-less and don’t know where to start, then start right here, right now by reading this quick guide.

Instead Of Giving Up, Start Your Internship Search Now

But where should you start your search?  Thousands of companies—including startups, Fortune 500s, and everything in between—are still searching for Summer 2019 interns. Maybe they had too many positions and couldn’t fill them all yet, or maybe they just realized the need for a new marketing intern for their latest product. Either way, the reality is that thousands of companies are still hiring on WayUp right now.

Worried that you’ll be competing against hundreds of applicants? Well, WayUp has that covered. Once you’ve created a profile and logged into the homepage you’ll receive an endless feed of jobs tailored to your qualifications, expressed interest, and academic/professional background. With your custom job feed, you’re bound to find an internship that matches you closely.

Of course, finding internships you want to apply for is only the beginning.  You also have to have your resume ready to go.  Check out resume beginner guides to get yourself on the right track and make sure you have a couple different versions of your resume for different industries (if you’re applying to a wide range of jobs).

Even if you’re not looking for a full-blown internship, there are plenty of amazing part-time summer jobs on WayUp, too. These, too, can be great money-makers and resume-builders for people early in their college career.

The most important thing to do is actually apply. So make your WayUp profile, get your resume ready, and start searching today!

The post It’s Not Too Late To Get A Summer 2019 Internship! appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Have you ever heard the expression, “Make sure you keep all your balls in the air!” You’re going to be juggling a lot of tasks during your summer internship. While having a lot of assignments on your plate may be stressful, it’s also an indicator that your manager and co-workers have faith in you to get a lot done. You’ll be a stronger intern when you carry more of the company’s weight, so here are 5 tips on how to manage your workload.

1. Make a list.

• At the end of each day, write down all the assignments you hope to complete the following day.
• Write down the meetings and events scheduled for the week.
• Organize the day’s assignments from most important to least important going down the page so you complete the most important tasks first.
• Estimate how long it will take for each assignment so that you will know how to divide up your time throughout the day.
• Write down the week’s goals and assignments, and make sure you’re on pace to finish them by the end of the week.

There’s nothing more satisfying than checking off the assignments on your list as you go through the day.  Wunderlist, Things (for Mac), and OmniFocus (also for Mac) are useful task-management tools.

2. Discuss your schedule with your manager.

Ask your manager which assignments are most important to the company. Get advice from your manager on how to balance your time.  Express that you want everything you produce to be excellent.

3. Strive for quality over quantity.

At the end of your summer internship, your co-workers are going to remember the few extraordinary projects you blew out of the water, not the high number of tasks you completed.

4. Stretch your capabilities.

As long as you’re doing quality work, challenge yourself to see how much you can be responsible for during your summer internship. Your enthusiasm to take on more assignments will impress your manager and encourage your co-workers.

5. Get to work early.

A recent study posted on the Harvard Business Review showed that university students are more productive and confident when they get up early. The majority of jobs work on a 9-5 schedule, so it will benefit you to be accustomed to the morning routine. If you arrive early and stay late, your manager will be more understanding if you can’t complete all your assignments.

Ask yourself this week:

• “What is one thing I could spend less time doing to make my day more productive?”
• “What is one thing I can start working on tomorrow morning before the rush of the day begins?”
• “Where in my work am I striving for quantity over quality instead of the other way around?”

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post 5 Ways to Manage Your Workload This Summer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You applied, got the interview, received an offer, and now you’re about to start your new internship. You’re nervous yet excited and you want to ensure that you’re fully prepared so that you can walk in ready to rock whatever is thrown your way. First impressions will set the standard, for your first week especially, so you want to make sure you leave a positive mark.

Take a look at our advice below about how to prepare for that critical first day.

1. Do your research.

Although you may have done extensive research about the industry, the company and its culture before your interview, it’s important to have as much updated information as possible before you begin your internship. In other words, you should do research again. Find out everything you can from the company’s website and social media channels, recent news headlines, and possibly even reviews and feedback from users or customers. The more you know before you start, the easier the transition will be into your new position.

2. Come in with questions.

The purpose of an internship is to learn and to discover what you’re interested in as well as what might not interest you as much. As an intern, you’re supposed to be curious and engaged, but you also aren’t expected to have a vast amount of knowledge or experience, so it’s important to reflect on what you’d like to learn more about. Begin your first day by asking some of those questions. An internship is what you make of it and in order for it to be as successful as possible, you need to voice any questions or concerns upfront, and you should also consider sharing any ideas you may have.

3. Practice your commute.

If you do a practice run of the commute to your internship beforehand, you’ll feel less stressed on your first day. You won’t be as worried about getting lost, whether you’re driving, walking, or taking public transportation. Try it out on a weekday around the same time you will be going to work, so that you can gage what traffic will be like or if you will run into any other issues along the way. There’s nothing worse than being late on your first day because you couldn’t figure out how to navigate your way there.

4. Contact your supervisor.

It’s crucial to know what you are expected to bring with you on your first day. Contact your supervisor and ask about the company’s dress code to ensure that you’re properly dressed. You may have to fill out forms or bring some sort of identification with you and and there may be other items that you need to have with you, so double checking with your supervisor is a must. You don’t want to forget anything on your first day and start off on the wrong foot.

5. Relax.

Take a step back and breathe. It’s completely natural to be anxious about your first day at a new internship, especially if it’s your first one ever, but remember that the company hired you for a reason. Your interviewer saw something in you that made him or her think you were the perfect fit for the position, so as long as you showcase that same personality, motivation, and smile that you did during the interview, your first day will run smoothly. Another factor to consider is that as an intern, you’re bound to make a mistake. You’re human; you’re new to the professional world and your supervisor will understand that. Most likely, this individual has had several interns in the past. Just be sure to interact with your fellow co-workers, put forth your best effort, and take any hiccups that may occur in stride.

As an intern myself, I’ve been in your shoes and preparing yourself will be key to having a wonderful first day!

The post How To Prepare For Your First Day At Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Sometimes the hardest part of finding a summer internship isn’t getting an offer. It’s knowing what you actually want. Unlike full-time jobs which require some sort of background or experience in the topic, many summer internships are open to college students of any major with all different sorts of experience on their resumes. That means the possibilities are endless.

And if you’re not sure what to do with those endless possibilities, then we’ve got some ideas for you. All of these internships struck a chord with your fellow WayUppers.

Can you find your dream internship on this list?

1. McDonald’s Corporate Internship Program @ McDonald’s Corporation

2. Wealth Management Summer Internship @ Deutsche Bank

3. Software Engineering Summer Intern @ Samsung

4. 2019 Summer Technology Internship @ T-Mobile

5. Operations Supply Chain Summer Internship @ L’Oréal

6. Software Engineering Summer Analyst @ BlackRock

7. Data Science Intern @ Thermo Fisher Scientific

8. 2019 Sales Intern @ Gallagher

9. Summer Recruiting Internship @ TEKsystems

10. Finance Intern @ Lockheed Martin 

BONUS: Sales Operations Intern @ WayUp

Not seeing your perfect summer spot on this list? Don’t sweat it. There are thousands of other internships hiring right now on WayUp.

The post Top 10 Most Popular Internships On WayUp This Month (February 2019) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Technological and scientific advancement isn’t confined to the labs of space agencies and secretive government facilities.  Products that we use in our everyday lives as seemingly simple as sunscreen make huge leaps forward because of new technologies.  And when a passion for science is coupled with the value of sustainability, innovation sprouts in wonderful ways.  That’s why it shouldn’t surprise you to find out that one of the world’s most innovative businesses is actually a 109-year-old company whose products you might have used today and that you’ve absolutely heard of: L’Oréal.

L’Oréal is innovating on a number of different fronts, from UV sensors to customized, on-demand skincare. Employees across the company embrace this spirit on innovation and culture of entrepreneurship: from the labs to commercial sales, from supply chain to marketing, new ideas are being brought to market all the time. (That’s probably why they hire so many college grads and interns!)

Here’s the story of how one new brand – SEED Phytonutrients – arose from the combination of this unique culture and a passion for a lofty goal – sustainability.

“Intrapreneurship” Plus Innovation = SEED Phytonutrients

“So I had this idea about a natural, sustainable brand, but it wasn’t without risk” says Shane Wolf, Worldwide GM of Redken, Pureology, Mizani, and SEED Phytonutrients.  L’Oréal’s entrepreneurial culture enabled and supported him to move his idea forward.  “I had one final pitch meeting in Paris . . . getting that final yes was an indescribable moment and I wasted no time getting started.”

Shane and his team are prime examples of how employees at a large global organization can be true “intrapreneurs” in their company.

L’Oréal took a strategic bet to incubate this great idea into what is today a cutting edge line of natural, sustainable products. The team at SEED employs unique, highly effective applications of cold-pressed sunflower and camelina seed oils (rich in antioxidants and other stuff that makes your face and body glow) in order to produce their powerful but face-friendly skincare line.

But it’s not just the quality of the product that’s amazing. The sunflowers and camelina used in the products are sourced exclusively from local, family-owned farmers with superb ecological impact standards. And to top it off, they developed the first shower-friendly paper bottles made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper with a post-consumer recycled plastic liner.   The packaging is produced entirely from recycled, post-consumer cardboard (preventing it from hitting landfills) and—more interestingly—chalk. Chalk acts as an antimicrobial agent to protect the product inside. Another huge plus: It’s naturally occurring and non-polluting (and it works great on blackboards).

Empowering Consumers And Employees Alike

Products like those in the SEED line also empower people to choose a different way to take care of their skin. In fact, the breadth of L’Oréal’s entire product line empowers people to pick what’s right for their skin and help them find the look that suits them.

And, of course, SEED’s new line tackles both the issue of ethical ingredient sourcing AND that of environmental damage due to disposable plastic packaging.

Whether you’re a tech person with a passion for the environment or an entrepreneurial product person with an eye on the future of tech integration, L’Oréal is a place where you can make a difference.

Interested? Check out fun facts, videos, and amazing opportunities from L’Oréal on WayUp today!

The post You’ll Never Guess Which Company Is Planting The Seeds Of Sustainability In Its New Start-Up Brand appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Is 2019 your year of self-love? Even if you’re in the throes of a passionate romance, you should still be making time for self-care and improvement. And one of the best ways to do that is to advance your career with an internship.

Internships help you learn about yourself, grow, and can instill a deep sense of self worth. Plus, you can make money, which is always a major plus. So, do something loving for yourself this Valentine’s Day, and get yourself an internship.

The time to apply to Summer 2019 internships has long since arrived, so start spreading the love—in the form of cover letters, resumes, and applications.

1. Creative Summer Internship Program @ Ralph Lauren

2. McDonald’s Corporate Internship @ McDonald’s

3. Wealth Management Internship @ Deutsche Bank

4. Software Engineering Summer Analyst @ BlackRock

5. Corporate Strategy Intern @ T-Mobile

6. Summer Recruiting Internship @ TEKsystems

7. Mechanical Engineer Intern @ Arconic

8. Corporate Communication & Multimedia Branding Intern @ WEX

9. Aviation Summer Intern @ Raytheon

10. Visual Communications Intern @ Lockheed Martin

11. Janssen Pharmaceutical Internship @ Johnson & Johnson 

12. Merchandising Internship Program @ The TJX Companies

13. Research & Innovation Intern @ L’Oréal

14. Marketing Intern @ Bareburger

15. Mechanical Engineering R&D Intern @ Thermo Fisher Scientific

16. Smart Communities MBA Intern @ Verizon

17. R&D Summer Internship @ Johnson & Johnson

18. Corporate Finance Internship Program @ Northern Trust

19. Brand Marketing Internship @ WayUp

20. Human Capital Analyst Intern @ Lockheed Martin

Don’t see your dream internship? Explore top companies or search for your ideal match on WayUp.

The post Here Are 20 Internships You’ll Love—And They’re Hiring Right Now On WayUp appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’ve been at college for more than 30 seconds, then you’ve probably heard about these things called internships. In case you’re not sure what this means, an internship is a term of temporary employment at an organization. Ideally, you’ll receive training, do real work, and—hopefully—be paid for doing so.

If this doesn’t sound like enough of a reason to have an internship, then there’s one other major benefit to internships you should consider: They’re the gateway to full-time jobs.

So, why should you do an internship? You’ll get the experience and connections required to get your first full-time job—and in your desired industry.

Let’s dive into some of the more specifics that demonstrate just how essential internships are for your future—and not just on paper.

Internship Motivator #1: Some Things Can’t Be Learned in a Classroom

No matter how excellent your undergrad program is, you can’t learn the art of whatever it is you’re studying entirely from books and lectures. Much of the nitty-gritty of the job, office culture, and essential skills come from actually operating in a corporate environment.

For example, as an entry-level marketing associate, 40 percent of your job might be working in the Facebook ad manager. You won’t know how you’ll perform certain tasks until you’re assigned to do so for a real company—and shown by a manager.

On-the-job learning is how you learn about the latest industry trends, which makes you infinitely more valuable than someone who read the latest textbook.

Internship Motivator #2: Overcoming the Experience Gap

When it comes to finding your first full-time job, there’s a catch-22. You need experience to get a job. You need a job to get experience. How can you break that vicious circle before you’re caught in it? By getting an internship—a type of experience available to those without.

Interns are often trusted with the very same tasks that go to their full-time, entry-level counterparts. This allows you to speak to your ability to handle those tasks during an interview.

Connections can also be used to bridge the experience gap. Your connections to your manager, the recruiters who hired you, and your co-workers could all help you. Reaching out to these people could get you a return offer at the company or a recommendation for a different role elsewhere.

Internship Motivator #3: Fail Sooner, Go Further

Getting real experience also means finding out what you like—and dislike.

Internships let you know if you’re actually going to enjoy the experience of working in your desired field. This can help you avoid the nasty situation of getting trapped in a full-time job that you end up hating.

Want to be a banker? Give it a test run as a summer analyst (industry term for banking interns). Want to be a consultant? Try an internship program at a major firm.

Finding out your strengths, your likes, and your wants makes charting out your career path that much easier.

Ready to find your first internship? Start applying right now on WayUp.

The post Why Do I Need an Internship? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Getting a Spring internship isn’t as hard as it sounds—and it’s actually a key move when it comes to securing a more illustrious (and better-paying) summer gig.

Plenty of companies offer part-time internships for current college students. After all, the need for a bigger staff exists all year, not just in the summer.

So, how can you secure a spring internship for the very first semester of 2019? Follow these four steps and you’re 90 percent of the way there.

1. Get Everything In Order

Applying for a job takes paperwork (or at least, like, Word doc-work).

You’re going to need an up-to-date, polished resume (you might even need an industry-specific resume depending on the position). Plus, you’ll need up-to-date online professional profiles, references, and to have any work samples you might need (whether that’s a lab report or an article for the school newspaper).

This sounds like a lot, but you really should be able to knock it out with two days of work. Let’s break it down into steps.

1. Make your resume shine. Use our guide, stay focused, and don’t overdo it. It’s possible you can spend too much time on this. Remember: Perfect is the enemy of good.
2. Send a couple emails to professors, former bosses, or family friends with respectable job titles. Let them know you’d like to use them as a reference on your internship search. If you ask politely, then 99 percent of the time they will agree. Just be confident that they actually like you first.
3. Update your LinkedIn, WayUp, and any other industry-specific profiles like Github or Muckrack. This shouldn’t take too long.

After that you’re ready for the next step…

2. Start Applying For The Internships You Really Want

Now’s the time to strike. Head over to the job search page and start searching for your dream internship. Aim high, because that’s the only way you’re going to get there.

Then start searching for internships near your college. If you can’t find any near your school, then start looking up remote internships. You’ve gotta start somewhere.

This last step is really the most important:

3. KEEP APPLYING!

This is really the most important step. The biggest mistake that every internship and job seeker makes is not applying to enough positions.

You want to keep your application quality high by having a solid resume and nicely put together online profiles, but volume is also really key.

Don’t get discouraged or cocky. It’s gonna take a little while, but with one-click apply jobs on WayUp and plenty of other shorter internship applications, there’s really no excuse for applying to fewer than 20 internships.

We know it’s finals season. But this simple task could help you secure the right experience or get the right connections to get the perfect summer internship. And that could mean a full-time job offer before you graduate.

There’s no time to waste. Lay the groundwork and start applying right now on WayUp!

The post How To Get A Spring Internship (Before You Head Home For Winter Break) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to finding the perfect summer internship, the game is truly afoot. Many of the most desirable internship programs are in full swing with their recruiting efforts. November is—for many companies—when the heavy recruiting season really begins.

It’s also where application season heats up. Don’t let your dream internship pass you by while the competition is applying.

To give you a little taste of which internships are heating up (and show you what the competition is up to), we’ve put together a list of the top 10 most popular internships on WayUp.

1. Data Scientist Consultant Intern @ Crowe

2. Foundational Human Resources Internship @ Johnson & Johnson

3. Summer Business Operations Analyst @ BlackRock

4. Structural Analysis Intern @ Lockheed Martin

5. Plant Engineering Intern @ UPS

6. Digital Science Marketing Intern @ Thermo Fisher Scientific

7. Marketing Summer Internship (2019) @ L’Oréal

8. Creative Summer Internship (2019) @ Ralph Lauren

9. IT Intern @ Raytheon

10. Product Marketing Intern @ SAP

From working on fighter jets to designing denim products for the world’s most iconic retail brand, these are the internships WayUp’s most prolific applicants are seeking. Sound interesting to you?

Start applying right now on WayUp!

The post Top 10 Most Popular Internships On WayUp This Month (November 2018) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Finding your perfect internship starts with finding the right company. Do they offer mentorship? Do they have rotational internship programs? Do they offer perks and networking events?

We’ve put together a list of companies that not only offer a ton of these internship essentials, but also are looking for people like you—right now.

How much easier can we make it? Click on these companies to see fun facts, videos, articles, and—of course—amazing internship opportunities.

1. EY

2. Nielsen

3. Citi

4. The TJX Companies

5. Under Armour

6. Target

7. UPS

8. Raytheon

9. L’Oréal

10. MassMutual

Like what you see but can’t find a role for you? Don’t sweat it. Check out all of WayUp’s top companies and find your dream internship today!

The post Top 10 Companies Hiring Interns This Month On WayUp (December 2018) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Ralph Lauren isn’t just a clothing company. It’s a group of retail brands that design, produce, and market authentic apparel, home products, fragrance, and way, way more.

And working there isn’t just a job. It’s being part of a family that makes amazing things happen, both in the markets they serve and in the communities they work.

Here’s a look inside what makes working at Ralph Lauren so different—and a few things you might actually be surprised to learn.

1. It’s A Team Deeply Inspired By Ralph Lauren’s Dream

Ralph Lauren began his career selling ties out of a drawer in the Empire State Building. Through talent, perseverance, and an entrepreneurial spirit Ralph Lauren grew a team of like-minded creators and businesspeople and built one of the most recognizable, iconic brands in the world.

The company is built on collaborative relationships, on strong friendships, and on the collective effort of an incredibly diverse team. After all, you can’t make thousands of premium products without a team of thousands of uniquely talented people.

Teamwork is, in fact, one of the company’s biggest strengths and, as a team, Ralph Lauren  employees make a serious impact in the communities where they live and work. Philanthropy at Ralph Lauren is about more than corporate donations, it’s about the Ralph Lauren family getting together to work on causes that matter to them.

Throughout the year, RL teams around the world get out into their communities and create the change they want to see. Whether it’s supporting cancer care through Pink Pony, Ralph Lauren’s global initiative in the fight against cancer or building homes for the underserved through Habitat for Humanity, Ralph Lauren employees make a difference in their communities.

2. It’s Not All Fashion Jobs (Ralph Lauren Has A Corporate Internship Program)

Even though the Polo horseman is a fashion staple, Ralph Lauren is more than a fashion brand. Creating, marketing, and distributing the many products they offer takes a lot more than just designers.

While the team still looks for the same creative, entrepreneurial spark in all of their interns and new hires, they know that X factor comes in a ton of different forms. There are, after all, many ways to be marketer with an entrepreneurial spirit or a financial analyst with a knack for creative problem-solving.

Some of the departments hiring for the company’s 10-week, elite corporate internship program include Information Technology, Human Resources, Hospitality, Finance, and Innovation. All of these departments work with technology and utilize skills that allow them to succeed in an incredibly competitive industry—which means you’ll be working alongside the best.

Here’s why that might come in handy.

3. They’re Constantly Learning New Skills

Ralph Lauren operates in the fields of e-commerce, digital advertising, complex supply chains, and more. The company is constantly evolving to stay true to its vision and to meet the growing expectations of its customers. That means the people are constantly adapting, too.

Ralph Lauren’s culture of learning and teaching gives its employees a ton of opportunities to learn new things on the job, from their peers, and from their mentors and managers. Most of the learning comes on the job, while you’re working through new responsibilities. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be left in the deep end without a lifeline. Ralph Lauren encourages collaboration, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and mentorship to ensure that you can add value to the company AND grow as a professional.

Working for a company like Ralph Lauren means learning how to apply your skills to one of the world’s most adaptive e-commerce and consumer goods brands. That’s something that will help you in tons of different careers.

Think your unique talents can contribute to Ralph Lauren’s global mission? Want to grow and learn from the best? Check out jobs and internships from Ralph Lauren on WayUp right now!

For more information, please visit .

The post What It’s Like To Work For The World’s Most Iconic Lifestyle Brand appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You can never be too early applying for your summer internship. (At least, as long as the application is live!) Recruiters want to get way ahead on hiring, that’s why most of them are in full swing right now. A ton of the best students and interns are already applying for those highly coveted summer 2019 spots.

And now’s your chance to do the same. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 most popular internships on WayUp this month. Hopefully, this roundup of highly desirable internships lights a fire under you and inspires you to fill out those apps early and often! Happy hunting!

1. Engineering/Developer “Rookie” @ Under Armour

2. Marketing Internship @ L’Oréal

3. Tax Intern (Diversified Staff Group) @ EY

4. Quality Intern @ Lockheed Martin

5. Research & Innovation Intern @ L’Oréal

6. Advisory Consultant Intern @ EY

7. Accounting/Finance Internship @ Johnson & Johnson

8. Finance Summer Analyst @ Citi

9. Assurance and Tax Internship @ CohnReznick

10.  Software Engineering Summer Analyst @ BlackRock

BONUS: WayUp Campus Ambassador (Paid + Perks!)

All of these roles are perfect for people looking to get real experience with world-class companies. Most of these companies also offer training/learning development in one form or another. That means you don’t need to be a genius rocket scientist before you apply to Lockheed Martin. You also don’t have to be a doctor of economics before you apply to BlackRock.

Internships provide an opportunity to shape your future and contribute to a company’s mission. And the people who get the best ones all have one thing in common: They applied.

What are you waiting for? Search amazing internships on WayUp or check out the best employers on our Top Companies hub.

The post Top 10 Most Popular Internships On WayUp This Month appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The balancing act is one of the most difficult things to master.

The balance between work and life is one of the biggest struggles many young professionals deal with on a daily basis. As students, we must balance school, a social life and work. As student interns, we must balance all of that plus an internship. Internships are a lot of work to begin with, but when thrown in with all of your other responsibilities, you will begin to feel overwhelmed. There’s no perfect way to balance everything in your life, but there are a few things you can do to make everything run smoothly.

First off, get organized. Nothing will ever get done in a timely fashion or done well if you aren’t organized. Organization doesn’t mean you need to color-code, file or plan your every step, but it means to gather everything you need to be successful. Find your perfect method of organization and master it. I make a to-do list for each project/organization that I have work for and cross things off as I complete them. I also color code a monthly calendar, so I can see everything in a monthly view. Sometimes if I really want to get crazy, I color code my Google calendar that holds every event and reminder that I could possibly need.

Budget your time. Know how much time you need to work on your different projects. If you know you like to outline, draft and then edit your papers, make sure you give yourself enough time during the week to do so.

Also, ensure that you give yourself enough time for a social life. I used to rarely give myself any social time, but realized that it took a toll on my overall well-being. Give yourself time for a social life, your academics, your internship work and any other work you may have. You won’t be rushing towards the end to get everything done.

Set goals for yourself at the beginning of every week. Whether you have to create a social media campaign for your internship or have a research paper due for your history class, prioritizing tasks at the beginning of the week adds to your organization, but also ensures that you do your best work. Goals allow you to grow and plan for everything you want to accomplish.

With that being said, know how to prioritize. In the end, school really does come first, and your internship supervisor will understand that. If you have a huge research paper one week, let them know. If finals preparation will take some time, they will let you take some time off. Be sure to keep them up to date with how you are balancing your school work. They care about you, and they know that school is important too.

Also, know that you are at your internship to work. They offered you the position because they need you. You are a vital part to their team, so make sure you’re contributing.

Remember to have fun. All of the work you’re doing is for a reason. Internships are meant to be fun. You’re there to work and learn, but also to make connections and have a good time. No matter what you’re doing, you shouldn’t be forcing yourself to have an unpleasant time. Enjoy your lunch break by spending it with your co-workers, have a study group with your friends and go out once in a while.

While you probably feel like you have a million things to do and no time to complete them all, you will find the time. Find a balance in your life, and you will find a way to get everything done and have fun while you’re doing it. You’re doing something important in every aspect of your life, so make sure you’re giving everything your all. Work hard because it will be worth it in the end, no matter how cliche that may sound.

The post How to Balance an Internship and School appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s that time of year again. The dog days of summer—when you have to start thinking about how you are going to get a schedule without class on Fridays and—more importantly—how you are going to secure a Fall internship.

Fall internships can be amazing for your resume and personal development. Having that experience shows that you’re serious about pursuing your field. It also shows you have excellent time management skills. And it’s proof that you’re able to do real work.

Plus, because it’s during the school year, the competition is less stiff—which is great for people without previous experience.

That’s why we’re here to answer all your questions about how and when to start looking. Here at the WayUp Guide, we’ve come up with 5 easy steps to secure yourself an amazing Fall internship.

1. Prime Your Resume.

If you have an internship right now, be sure to add it to your resume and online profiles before applying.

If you didn’t have an internship over the summer, then you should have a compelling story about what you were doing. Think “volunteer vacation in Costa Rica” not “acid trip at Outside Lands.”

Your WayUp profile is a great place to show off these types of non-internship experiences. If you made a funny YouTube series with your friends, you can add that to show experience with media. If you did any coding or freelance work, you can show off how you use your free time. Even if you got a bunch of great Instagram pics while traveling, you can integrate that into your profile (and refer to it as a “travel blog”).

The less work experience you have, the more important it is to showcase the other parts of your life and personality that make you a great candidate.

2. Get the Letter of Rec.

And get your references lined up, too!

Start looking at what companies you’ll be applying to for a Fall internship, and whether or not they require a letter of rec. If they do, ask your employer now if they would write you one, or if you can put them down as a reference. If they’re unsure what to write, give them a template.

And if you don’t have an employer or manager to ask, try emailing a professor or TA instead. Be sure to include any great stories from class or funny memories you have to remind them of who you actually are.

Many companies will actually check your references. So, definitely be sure to ask your references in advance if you can put them down. You can also let them know what type of job you’re applying for, so they can be sure to emphasize certain skills.

3. Clean Up Your Social Media.

It’s easy to forget about what is appropriate to have on your Instagram and Twitter accounts during the summer. Be sure to delete or archive any inappropriate pictures or tweets before applying. You don’t want to get rejected from a Fall internship simply because you were holding a bottle of tequila on the ‘gram.

It’s best to keep your social accounts on private during the application period. However, if you’re applying for a marketing, writing, or social media-based position, then CLEAN IT UP. You’re actually being judged on it.

4. Have a Clear Idea of Your Availability.

Most students can take on about 15-20 hours of internship work a week with a normal course load. That’s the same commitment as a part-time job. Having held a part-time job during school in the past is actually a great way to demonstrate to employers that you could handle an internship. Balancing school and work can be tricky—and no employer wants somebody who takes on more than they can handle.

Be realistic about your workload and class schedule. You know (or can easily find out online) if that Shakespeare professor is gonna give you an essay every week or 20 hours of reading. Use ratemyprofessors or ask around to find out ahead of time.

The worst thing to do is to accept a job and then get overwhelmed and quit halfway through the semester. Factor in time for extracurriculars, midterms, friends, and finals, and let companies know ahead of time how long you’ll be gone for Thanksgiving and winter break.

5. Apply Early.

And often!

Although many companies continue accepting applications well into September, you should start applying ASAP. The internships that pay the best and look the best on your resume will close sooner than those that do not. Recruiters cannot always spare the time or resources to look at thousands of applications, so act fast.

Now if your resume and WayUp profile is up to date and you’re ready to apply, just search “Fall Internships” right here on WayUp and you’ll get opportunities tailored your skills, interests, and major. There are thousands of internships available on WayUp, so go find yours today!

The post 5 Steps to Secure a Fall Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Hooray to you for scoring a summer internship and seeing it to the end. You deserve a pat on the back, and not to mention, the glorious recommendation your internship supervisor will write you. But your summer is coming to an end and so is the internship, and you must now say your inevitable farewells and adieus. 

Hopefully you have learned a great deal in your respective industry and have fostered both personal and professional relationships along the way. No matter how sad you may feel before leaving, don’t dwell over the fact that the internship is over, remember how far you have come from the first day and remember to follow through to the end. So before you go back to university, here are a 4 reminders to make sure you leave on the best of terms.

1. Send an appreciation card to your supervisor.

While it may seem like something simple and traditional, you should always remember to thank them for their help. Sure they had you make copies, send out faxes, organize their desks, or even fetch coffee, but they selected you out of hundreds, maybe thousands of other potential interns. You’ve done so much for them, but they’ve also done so much for you. They deserve a thank you card, email, or maybe even a gift! Nothing big of course, but something to show that you care and appreciate them. You may have given them your summer time, but they gave you the opportunity to work and gain real life experience.

2. Update your résumé.

This isn’t presumptuous, but necessary. Sure it only just ended, but you need to have all the information you learned fresh so you can update your résumé in the appropriate amount of time without having to remember or worse, fudge what you accomplished with your internship. Some people forget to update their résumés, which is a drastic mistake. You never know when you need to send it off so prepare ahead of time and don’t rush to fix it. Updating your résumé is key to success.

3. Write out a list or notes of your internship accomplishments, goals, skills learned, and contacts made.

There’s always the traditional back-to-school “what did you do this summer” conversation so why not impress? Another time you may need to remember this is when going on interviews. Interviewers will ask you about that internship and what you gained from it. You don’t want to say just “real life experience” or “how to use a copy machine and fax”, but something more exciting like “how to write a acknowledgment order” or “updating an online events calendar on WordPress”. Remembering these skills and activities that became your daily tasks will impress your interviewer. Don’t let an entire summer or internship go to waste because you forgot the skills or can’t recollect the work.

4. Remember the skills you learned and continue to build on them.

It doesn’t matter if the internship was relevant to your future career or not, but it is something that will help your future. Yes, you will impress future employers that you have the skills, but you will blow them away when you demonstrate you have continued to work on these skills on your own. If you choose to go back to your previous internship, they will be impressed as well and will value you further.

In short, don’t waste your summer with a mindless internship or just let it blow by. You worked hard for three months, and that will help you. Value the time you spent because others valued your time spent. Summer is over and your time there is over, but it will forever be remembered through your future successes.

The post Your Summer Internship Is Over, Now What? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether it’s your first day on the job or your first day at an internship, it can be nerve-wracking to be the new person. Walking into an office where everyone else knows each other and the lay of the land can make you feel even more anxious than trying to impress your boss.

Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Follow these tips for making your first day a success, and defeat those jitters!

1. Eat a stress-reducing breakfast

Some foods can help with reducing your stress levels. Start your day off with a breakfast that will help keep you calm. Incorporate whole grains and bananas, both of which help reduce stress. Skip the coffee and caffeinated drinks, which can make your anxiety worse, and go for a soothing herbal tea instead, like chamomile.

2. Keep a list of names

You will probably learn a ton of names on your first day in the office, and unless you have a great memory, you may have trouble remembering most of them. After someone makes an introduction, jot down their name, their job title if you know it and a small identifier to help you remember their face, if needed. The act of writing their name down will help commit it to memory, and you can refer back to the list after work to help you remember them all. Knowing people’s names and addressing them by it will make you seem impressive and personable.

3. Ask questions

You’ll have a million of them, and don’t be afraid to ask them all. You aren’t expected to know everything when you’re the new guy, but if you don’t ask at the beginning, it can be awkward when you have to ask a question down the line that you should already know the answer to. Being inquisitive shows that you’re interested and involved, and that is a good thing.

4. Dress to impress

Plan what you will wear on your first day of work a couple days ahead. Choose whatever outfit makes you feel the most confident and make sure it is dry cleaned, pressed or ironed, and do whatever else needs to happen for it to be ready to go on that first day. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Wearing something that makes you feel good will boost your mood and confidence throughout the day.

5. Pack a lunch

Do not skip lunch. There is nothing worse than hunger pangs and a growling stomach on your first day of work to make you self-conscious and anxious. Packing a lunch that isn’t too messy (don’t want to spill spaghetti sauce down your blouse on day one!) will allow you to eat with your coworkers in the break room. Having that time to socialize with your coworkers will help put you at ease. If your coworkers are going out to lunch, ditch your brown bag, and head out with them!

And above all, just remember that your talent landed you the job, and you were chosen out of all of the applicants to be there. Now get to work, and good luck!

The post 5 Ways to Beat Your First Day Jitters appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ll have more success arriving at your desired destination if you have a map in your hand. In the same way, having your manager’s guidance will greatly benefit you this summer. Once you set goals with your manager, you’ll have an exact description of what’s required of you and what you’ll be expected to achieve during your summer internship. Knowing what’s expected of you is empowering, so here are 10 tips on how to set realistic goals with your manager.

1) Be flexible when you set up a time to meet with them. Managers are probably going to have to take time out of their busy schedule to meet with you. However, your manager will appreciate how you had the impetus to set up a meeting.

2) Prepare for the meeting by outlining your personal goals beforehand. Know these goals well and be ready to explain why each one is valuable. Also, write a list of questions you’d like to ask your manager.

3) Be enthusiastic and open the meeting with friendly conversation.  You will both enjoy the meeting more if you walk into it with a smile on your face.

4) Outline a schedule together that details when you will meet with your manager throughout the summer. Jointly create criteria for how and when you’ll be evaluated. Aim to meet with your manager at least once a week.

5) Discuss how your personal goals fit into the larger scope of the company. Tell your manager that you would appreciate receiving constructive feedback throughout the course of your summer internship on how you’re progressing towards fulfilling goals that relate to your role.

6) Ask for clarification on anything you don’t understand. Questions don’t make you look stupid; they make it obvious that you care about doing the job right. It’s always better to get clarification and know exactly what is expected of you than to guess how you should do the job. Working without direction makes messes that you and your manager will have to clean up; a waste of time for both of you.

7) Write down your goals for the week and other important points during the meeting. If you don’t copy down all that’s said, you’re bound to forget something.  It’s not your manager’s job to give you directions twice. Wielding a pen and pad will prove to your manager that details are important to you. Your notes will keep you on track when you are unsure of what you should be working on throughout the week.

8) Quantify your goals as much as possible and make the desired results metric-driven so your success can be easily measured. For instance, if your manager tells you, “Your evaluation will be based on how many projects you complete;” ask, “How many projects should I aim to complete this week?” When you have these numbers in front of you at your next evaluation, you will be able to say, “We said I should generate 5 leads this week, and I now have 15 leads who I have set up meetings with.”

9) Be honest with your manager. If you don’t agree with something your manager says or don’t understand why you need to perform an assignment in a certain way, respectfully bring it up to them. Burying concerns will only make them sprout up in ugly ways in the future.

10) Thank your manager at the end of the meeting. Reiterate your appreciation in an email or online message and point out specific pieces of their advice that were helpful to you.

“Under promise and over deliver.” If you exceed expectations in every detail of your work, your manager will trust you with more and set higher goals for you by the time you have your next meeting.

The post 10 Tips On Setting Goals With Your Manager appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you are starting your summer internship or continuing an office job, here are 8 tips to improve your focus and reduce stress at work.

1. Start your day with a healthy breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast improves cognitive performance, memory, and attention as well as gives you sustained energy for the work day. Breakfasts with a low glycemic index (e.g., fruit, whole grains, and oats) and high in protein (e.g., yogurt, eggs) have been shown to be most effective in improving cognitive performance and mood. Avoid foods with refined sugar and for sweets, substitute with maple syrup or honey instead.

2. Try deep breathing

Deep breathing and focusing only on your breath for five to ten minutes both slows your heart rate and relaxes the mind.  The more that you practice this skill daily, you can improve your anxiety when you need it most. Meditation and deep breathing exercises have been shown to improve focus and attention in children and adults with attention deficit disorder.

3. Get up and stretch

Jobs often require long periods of sitting in front of a computer, causing neck and shoulder tension and back pain, especially if posture is not well-supported. When your body is tense, that can cause and compound mental stress. Take a look at your desk and chair to make sure you’ve optimized the set up for a healthy and comfortable posture. Also take a break and try stretches and yoga geared for office settings.

4. Keep snacks on hand that are healthy

For the unexpected late nights at work, make sure you have healthy snacks on hand so you don’t have to resort to the vending machines that usually have highly processed foods, often with refined sugar. Instead, keep on hand fresh fruit such as blueberries and nuts or vegetables like carrots and celery, which have a lot more vitamins and nutrients.

5. Don’t skip lunch

It might be the first thing to go when you’re swamped at work, but skipping lunch can set you more behind over time by reducing your effectiveness and making you more irritable and fatigued. Even if it means eating at your desk, your midday meal can provide a boost of energy. Avoid heavy or spicy foods that might cause sleepiness, digestion issues, or heartburn.

6. Stay hydrated throughout the day

Working in high stress environments can cause you to forget to stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and irritability. Make sure you keep water on hand and accessible throughout the day.

7. Get the blood flowing

Exercise is a key element to reducing stress and improving mood. Even if it’s hard to go to the gym on a busy work week, try adding small amounts of exercise throughout your day, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or a brisk five-minute walk during lunch to get some fresh air and sunlight.

8. Put away the coffee after 4 pm, and get adequate sleep at night

Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep at night. Sleep is essential in order to perform well the following day at work and significantly impacts your cognitive performance including memory and attention. Not getting enough sleep can increase anxiety and lowers the threshold for feeling stressed.

 About the Author:

Dr. Marlynn Wei is a board-certified psychiatrist and media consultant in Manhattan, New York and specializes in anxiety, stress, and career management. She uses holistic and integrative approach that includes life-style modifications, meditation/ yoga, and mindfulness. Dr. Wei works with professionals in all areas including finance, law, business, start-ups, and creative fields like film, acting, and fine arts.

The post 8 Ways to Improve Your Focus and Reduce Stress appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

An internship can be a critical juncture in your career. It may be one of the first times that you have moved out of the classroom into the workplace, and it will require you to put the skills that you have learned to use in the real world. While it is always important to ace an internship, doing so may seem a little more difficult if your internship is virtual. Virtual internships are an admittedly new development, but they can still be just as important to your career trajectory. Here are four tips to help you ace your virtual internship:

Conduct thorough research

Before your internship begins, conduct some research—learn all that you can about the organization that you will be working for in order to truly understand its mission and its product or service. Since you will not be in an office environment, you may feel alienated during your virtual internship, but learning more about the work you are part of can offset this impression. It can also better equip you for any tasks you are given.

Emphasize communication and networking

The opportunity to network is often one of the most valuable advantages of an internship. It is also one of the most valuable advantages of a virtual internship, but it may require a bit more effort on your part. Again, start before your internship officially begins by reaching out to your supervisors, and to any other important contacts in your department. If possible, meet with them face-to-face at least once, or participate in a video chat to learn more about them and their work. Schedule several video chats throughout your internship to check in and to ensure that you are on track. You will also likely communicate with your supervisor via email. If there are any other employees who you believe could be important contacts for you, reaching out over email can be a great way to introduce yourself.

Manage your time effectively

With a virtual internship, you will not have a supervisor’s physical presence to keep you on task. Regardless, it is still important to complete your work in a timely manner. Do not let distractions (like Facebook or Twitter) tempt you; treat your time at work seriously. If the tasks that you are given do not keep you busy for long, ask for more work, as this will impress your supervisor. Most important, do not ever miss a deadline or leave a task unfinished.

Create a professional environment

Even if you are not in a traditional office environment, you should still make an effort to dress professionally. If it motivates you, you can even work at a library or coffee shop. You should also set up an area of your apartment, dorm, or house that will serve as your office. In short, even if you are not physically in an office, you should feel like you are at work—this is even more critical if you will have video chats with clients or colleagues.

Ultimately, acing a virtual internship is not so different from acing a traditional internship. It is important to be prepared, professional, and proactive. Do your work well, communicate as much as possible, and you should thrive in your virtual internship.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

The post Top 4 Tips for Acing a Virtual Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

College happens in a blink of an eye and before you know it you’re sending out graduation announcements. You only have one internship under your belt and you’re afraid that your low GPA will stand in the way of obtaining your dream postgraduate entry-level or internship position. What could you do?

In a recent study, we discovered that 67 percent of employers think GPA is important in student recruiting. If you are interested in interning or working in fields like finance, law, engineering, or computer science, an exceptional GPA is usually required in obtaining a position. Often times hiring managers utilize the GPA to assess problem solving skills and predict applicant success.

If you weren’t the best student in college, struggled maintaining a part-time job, or were buried under too many extracurricular activities, try applying these helpful tips to overcome the upperclassmen “GPA Blues.”

1. Leave your GPA off of your Resume.

Don’t include your GPA unless it is exceptional or the employer specifically asks. In general, if you need a certain GPA to apply, recruiters look for applicants with a 3.0 or greater. Is your major GPA higher? If so, include that score instead.

2. Perfect your Application.

Compensate your low GPA score with a strong resume application. To dazzle hiring managers, demonstrate that you are a well-rounded student with ambition, skill, and leadership ability!

• Tailor your resume by adding action words detailed on the job description. List phrases like “quick thinking” or “complex problem solving” to demonstrate your communication and technical skills.

• Create a cover letter that tells your story. Express why you are interested in the company and how you will deliver.

• Add work samples (if required) to your application and make sure to list links to any digital portfolios or personal websites.

3. Get Referred.

“Employee referrals have the highest applicant-to-hire conversion rate – only 7% apply, but this accounts for 40% of all hires.”

An employee referral is the easiest way to separate your resume from the rest. This is your chance to practice your networking skills  in order to boost your application, ultimately landing you the job. Tap into your professional network, and use peers or professors as resources for referrals.  Don’t forget, if you’re referred to a position, mention it in your cover letter. This acts as a “built in recommendation.”

4. Focus on better opportunities that are a better fit for you.

Unfortunately, various firms are strict on GPA requirements. If they require a 3.5, and you have a 2.7, your chances may be slim to none. Apply for internships and entry-level jobs that are flexible with GPA scores, and match your abilities. If you excel at these jobs, you might be able to circle back around to the company you first wished to work for. Seek a counselor who can help you reevaluate your options. You definitely won’t be the first to waltz into the career center with a GPA question.

At the end of the day, if you are unhappy with your GPA, CHANGE IT! Even if you are in the first semester of your junior year or last semester of your senior year, each grade counts. Take your GPA seriously, but understand that it is not everything when applying for certain roles.

Are you screwed? Not exactly. Every internship you apply for won’t require you to list your GPA and many companies who were strict on GPA scores are now evolving. One major company being Google:

“Google famously used to ask everyone for a transcript and G.P.A.’s and test scores, but we don’t anymore, unless you’re just a few years out of school. We found that they don’t predict anything.” – Laszlo Bock, Google’s Senior Vice President for People Operations

The post “Am I Screwed?” Applying For Internships With A Low GPA appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Want to be one of the thousands of intern EY hires every year? Watch this video to learn what it is like to intern at EY.

Want to learn more? Check out this other EY article: How to Work in Consulting—Without Traveling all the Time

Transcript:

Natasha Stough:

The EY internship program is really a little bit of a snapshot on what it’s like to work for us full time.

We hire thousands of college students every year off of campus for our entry level and internship positions.

So while you may be called an intern and hired as an intern, the reality is as you’re a member of the EY Family and we want to give you a glimpse.

So the work should essentially mirror some of the work that you would be doing if you joined us full–time as a staff-hire down the road.

We’ll of course have a little fun, but you’ll essentially be serving our clients, working side by side with our teams to really have that glimpse into the world of EY.

Then it’s rapped up and at the end of the summer with our International Intern Leadership Conference where we bring together thousands of interns from around the Americas for a three day experience focused on leadership networking and certainly hearing about the future of EY from the firm’s leaders

The post Video: What Is It Like To Intern At EY? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

These Unilever BRAND MANAGERS are responsible for getting AXE products into grocery stores across the country.

Unilever has a simple but clear purpose – to make sustainable living commonplace. They believe this is the best long-term way for the business to grow.

Check out all of Unilever’s open jobs!

Transcript; 

Kevin: From a brand manager standpoint it’s probably the closest you can get to really being be the center spoke of wheel and working a little bit on everything.

Sophie: It’s definitely challenging at times but it’s really cool to see everything come together at the end

Kevin: I think the that Unilever’s is actually a house of brands right is something as kind of not always thought about. You’ll think about the Axe company or the Dove company, but actually we are all working at Unilever.

Sophie: I was looking to marketing like throughout business school and really liked the idea of something more entrepreneurial that was both creative and quantitative.

Kevin: So there are two ways that we look at marketing and Unilever. There’s local marketing and then there’s global marketing. so I work from the local side where I’m very close to day and a P&L. So are we performing. How much are we selling. How much profit are we actually making.

Sophie: I love interacting with people so working with all sorts of different people and they’re kind of the experts in their field.

Kevin: I have individual goals for my campaign is on your campaign meeting its business case. But also are you pushing the brand in certain areas so you know you may be doing well and how that brand situated now, but are you pushing us from a digital standpoint or are you making sure that we’re hitting our target customers.

Sophie: Everyone knows what AXE is when you talk about it, it’s a huge brand. So it’s really fun to work on and see like a different part of personal care and what male grooming is like.

Kevin: Well I mean ultimately I’m a competitive person.

Kevin: So to be in a space where you don’t live in a vacuum like you live in this fluid environment where there’s always something happening I think it’s something that you Unilever cherishes because that’s the nature of what it is that you want to do want to compete. You want to make sure that you’re working on a business that successful.

The post Video: What does an AXE Brand Manager do? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

While internships are essential experiences, with a new environment and a new set of skills to learn, mistakes are bound to happen. The good part? This is totally okay (and completely normal).

Here’s what you need to know about coming to terms with the mistakes you’ve made during your internship.

You’re not the only one.

It’s important to keep things in perspective. You’re not the only intern who has ever made a mistake. All interns (and full-time employees) make mistakes, because we’re only human and it’s a natural part of life. It can be easy to trap yourself into thinking that everyone else is perfect and you’re the only one who has messed up, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your supervisor, your boss, your co-workers and your fellow interns have made mistakes, and they were able to get past them, so you can too.

It’s a learning opportunity.

Usually, you make a mistake when you’re unfamiliar with something or you’re doing a task or project for the first time, so when you do mess up, think about how you can improve the next time you’re in that situation. For example, ask a question if you’re confused, conduct research on what you’re doing or go a little bit slower and take your time. What’s key here is that you learn from your mistake so that you don’t repeat it again. Mistakes only become an issue when they happen over and over again, so make sure to own up to your mistake and make an effort to change it.

It’s not the end of the world.

As soon as you make a mistake, several thoughts are floating through your head. ‘Are they going to fire me? What if I leave a bad impression for the rest of my internship? Will my supervisor ever give me another assignment?’ As long as making mistakes isn’t a habit, the answer to these questions is almost always going to be no. Your supervisor and co-workers understand that you’re an intern and that you’re going to make mistakes. In fact, they expect you to and would probably be surprised if you didn’t, because making a mistake means you’re in the process of learning and that’s the whole point of an internship.

When you think back on the mistakes you’ve made during your internship, don’t worry. Simply own up to them and do everything you can to improve. One mistake doesn’t define your entire internship experience or you as a person, for that matter. You’re all still the rockstar interns that we know you are!

The post Why It’s Okay To Make Mistakes During Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

After a few years of working paid retail jobs over the summer coupled with some unpaid internship experiences that weren’t my favorite, I decided that the best thing to prepare myself for graduation come senior year of college would be getting a paid internship this time around.

Since I knew exactly what type of internship I was looking for in January, I started researching and applying for positions that would not start until May. I ended up applying to 12 different roles, and I got rejected from all of them. However, I don’t call this process a total wash; here are some of the most important things I learned that you can take with you during your job or internship search.

1. Start the Job Search Early

What makes the internship application process a lot harder is when you’ve waited until the last minute. By hitting the ground running during the spring semester, I got to talk to classmates who’d held internships at places I wanted to work, discussed my options with professors and took advantage of other campus resources.

2. Don’t Be Picky

Maybe 12 was excessive, but I knew that I really wanted a good internship at the end of the day, one where I could learn a lot and walk out with great experiences and contacts. Thus, I made the realization I was totally willing and able to work an unpaid internship if it was in my desired field. Although nobody wants to do work for no pay, sometimes an unpaid internship will give you payoff in ways you wouldn’t expect.

So, I applied to 12 positions…and it led to 12 rejections, but before we get into what I learned specifically from those rejection emails, let’s move onto another important lesson I learned: Selling yourself.

3. You Sell Yourself Better Than Anybody Else

The time that I spent without an internship allowed me to realize how valuable my personality and skillset are to me personally. I think that when I was applying, I described myself confidently in my applications but did not buy into it myself. That was my number one mistake: If you don’t think you’re great, nobody else is going to think it for you. Have pride in your craft and your interests; find ways to let them shine and reach people beyond those who might receive your internship applications. You’d be surprised as to who will reach out to you when you let your passion shine through. I’ve worked at YouTube NYC Headquarters, met famous authors and now the voice of Siri even follows me on Twitter!

How did I get there? It sounds cliche, but once I realized that doing all the things I was “supposed to do” still didn’t enable me to get the results I wanted, I had to become inventive. I thought I had done enough to secure an internship, but there were other tools I was missing that hadn’t even dawned on me to use.

I got on business networking websites. I began attending networking events. I created social media specifically for business networking purposes. I had a photoshoot and got headshots and learned how to build a professional website with widgets and interactive links. I started sliding into DMs on Instagram and Twitter and tweeted at people I wanted to work with and for. I made an email account specifically for business and created my own unique brand.

All of these little steps added up over time; I just didn’t know this before I applied to those 12 fateful internships.

4. Every Career “No” Can Become a “Yes”

Before I applied to so many internships, I talked to everyone I knew…or at least I thought I did. I prepared months in advance and even had professors, advisors, family and friends look over resumes and cover letters. I applied to multiple positions at the same companies and had some “target” positions as well as “dream jobs.” I made sure I covered every base I could. Even so, come April, my email inbox was filled with rejections. When I e-mailed asking why my applications were not accepted or how I could improve, I was either met with no answer or an elusive response about “more qualified applicants.”

If there’s anything my internship rejections have taught me, it’s that you are going to hear the word “no” a lot. You have two choices: Become comfortable with it, or let it tear you down. I’m not saying to let it roll off your shoulders as if it doesn’t matter, but I am saying to let those rejections make your shoulders broad and strong. Find out ways to improve yourself, and make who you are marketable in its uniqueness.

You’re not always going to find work in the traditional way of submitting forms online, but you will be stuck to that method if you never give yourself the chance to reach the world in other ways. Whether it’s videos, photography or a blog, make a situation for yourself so that when things don’t work out, or you experience the worst case scenario and every place you apply to tells you no, you have other means of creating success.

To tell you the truth, some of the best career experiences I have had thus far have been from what I’ve created for myself. Give yourself, not the privilege, but the right to make your career life what you want it to be, no matter how many times you hear the word “no.”

The post What I Learned From Getting 12 Internship Rejections appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Breaking into a new industry from the ground floor can be intimidating, but the best way to integrate yourself into the fast-paced world of any field is to land yourself an internship!

However, that can be easier said than done. If you need help, five remarkable college students are sharing their advice on how they landed the internships of their dreams. If you take their tips, hopefully you can too.

1. Never discount who you meet in your classes—or in line at Starbucks. 

“I got the internship through a friend that I met early my freshman year who is going into the same field that I am. In the music industry it is really really important to make connections and know many different people with different skill sets. You never know what opportunities will come up!” – Danielle, University of Oregon ‘19

You never know who is connected to whom; the student sitting next to you in a lecture hall of 300 might be an open door to a dozen great opportunities, or potentially be your future coworker, boss, or client. Always be friendly, positive, and courteous to everyone.

2. Don’t just talk to family only during the holidays. 

“I was able to get this internship with the help of my sister flagging my application as she is the Assistant Manager of Domestic Theatrical Media Marketing [at 20th Century Fox]. I learned how incredibly important networking and keeping in contact with people [is] because I now know people my age who will go work for other companies and could drop my name. I also was able to have “meet and greets” with people in other fields such as publicity and got my foot in the door for other internships next summer.” – Allison, University of Oregon ‘19

Never be afraid to utilize those connections especially if you have a relative or family friend that can dog-ear your application and put in a good recommendation for you!

And once again, it’s always important to make and maintain those connections that you make on and off the job. You can learn more about building and maintaining connections here.

3. Know exactly what you want and why. 

“My supervisor later told me that I was chosen over other applicants because I told them what I was passionate [about]. Other people didn’t specify what unit they wanted to work in and they were passed over…be clear with what you want and know what you want to get out of an internship. For my senior year I am back at [the Department for Human Services] for the whole year. I now have a better idea of where I want my career to go and where I see myself in the future.” – Sarah, University of Oregon ‘19

Prove that you’ve done your research: You know exactly what you want, where you want to be, and how you’re going to get there career-wise. Also emphasize that this internship is going to be your first stepping stone to fulfilling those aspirations. People want to work with those who clearly want to be there, and not just so they can add another bullet point to their resume.

Another important point: Just because you know what you want doesn’t mean you should be picky. Often students will put all their internship eggs in one proverbial basket, when in reality it takes quite a few applications to hit the mark.

4. Reach out to professors, teachers, and leaders in your community. 

“Getting an internship was a requirement for my degree and at the time I thought I had a really solid resume compared to most. With past job experience, clubs, and a high GPA, I thought there wouldn’t be a problem finding something. But all the companies I had applied to never got back to me, even after I followed up with a phone call. So I talked to my professor about it, and right away he offered me this really cool position through his network of professionals. I ended up getting an internship way better than any of the ones I initially applied to.” – Monica, USC ‘17

Asking around might feel like a last resort, but it shouldn’t. Professors are probably the best resource for a student looking to break into a specific industry, because your professor most likely has a huge circle of professional contacts looking for young college interns to help with their latest research, campaign, or project. (It’s also a good motivator for participating more in class and showing up to office hours often too!)

5. Ask for help from friends and peers.

“My friend had worked for this tech company before and it was something that I was interested in doing so she showed me their website, what to apply for, and she helped me apply for a position. Within a couple of days I received a phone call from the company and I was scheduled for an interview later that week.” – Franklin, University of Oregon ‘18

Maybe filling out applications and writing a cover letter about “the best of you” isn’t exactly your strongest suit. If a friend or peer already has experience working with professionals in the same industry you’re looking to jump in, and knows exactly what the employer is looking for, then allow them to help you articulate your strengths and skills.

It’s all about finding the right wording, which achievements to elaborate on, and which items of your resume you should just leave out (regardless of how proud you are about winning that hot dog eating contest). You want to put your best foot forward, and with the help of a friend who clearly knows what they’re doing, you’ll figure it out soon enough too.

No excuses now, time to get off mom’s couch and go find yourself an internship!

The post 5 Students Tell You How To Land Your Dream Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Making a great impression as an intern is all about working hard and adding value to an organization. But how can you go above and beyond during your internship and truly leave your mark on a company?

As part of our National Intern Day celebration this summer, we sat down with the CEOs and managers of some of the country’s biggest companies to find out the things that impress them most about their interns. According to Tonya Lee, a senior associate at EY, being a great intern begins with being proactive and asking good questions. Referring to one of her rockstar interns, she explains that what made him stand out was his enthusiasm and desire to learn. “He was awesome because every time we had some downtime, he was actively seeking out more work,” she explains. In addition to taking initiative, Robert was also curious about his role and not afraid to ask questions about the tasks he was assigned. “When he got a task, he was able to say, ‘Okay great. I understand the task, but WHY am I doing this task?’ That WHY question is a really good question to ask because the task became more clear to him as well as how it fit into the bigger picture.”

For Lee, this type of curiosity is important because it demonstrates an intern’s true passion for their role and a desire to learn as much possible about the business.

Ready to make your mark on a company? Check out our full list of jobs and internships to find the job that’s right for you.

The post How to Make Your Mark as an Intern appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This story was written by StudySoup, a peer-to-peer learning marketplace that connects top students in the class with those who need a little help. Top students can upload their notes and study guides to the StudySoup Marketplace, providing their peers with helpful materials while also earning some extra cash.

You’ve just graduated college. Diploma in hand, you score an interview with the company of your dreams. You nail the interview, feeling even more confident that it’s the perfect opportunity for you.

Then a few days later, the hiring manager calls, and you wait patiently for her to offer you the job. But instead, she offers you an internship. An internship? You didn’t just spend all of that time and money on a college education for an internship. You want a full-time job, right?

But things don’t always work that way. And though post-grad internships often get a bad rap, they can actually be incredibly beneficial. Here are a few ways a post-grad internship can help you in your career.

Reason 1: Bulk Up Your Resume

One of the most frustrating and challenging problems that new graduates face is gaining the relevant work experience they need in order to get the job they want. However, you need a job to get that experience. So at this point, you are kind of in a pickle.

The great thing about internships is that they directly address this problem and can help you build up several sections of your resume, including:

• Work experience
• Professional skills
• References
• Portfolio samples

All of these are necessary for creating the perfect resume that will give you the competitive edge you need to land the job of your dreams. And internships are a fantastic way to build up all of these crucial areas and polish them immensely.

Moreover, internships allow graduates to try out new positions in different areas of a company and get the opportunity to work with different groups on different projects. If you have your sights set on a particular area within a company, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to take some initiative and ask to help out with a project on that specific team.

Finally, internships give you the chance to bolster up some crucial professional skills that hiring managers are always on the lookout for. Tip: these skills aren’t necessarily covered in the classroom. So for many, an internship is the first chance to practice them.

Some of these skills include:

• Self-Reliance: you demonstrate that you can work independently and that you are organized in the workplace
• Team: although the ability to work independently is important, you also need to be able to work well with others in collaborative environments
• Proactiveness: you show that you have the drive to get the job done, no matter what it takes
• Adaptability: demonstrate that you’re willing to constantly keep learning and be able to manage change effectively

Internships offer new graduates a perfect environment to learn, as well as showcase, these skills.

Reason 2: Get Ahead of the Competition

Securing an internship after graduation is a great way to get ahead of the competition. As I’m sure you are aware, you are not the only one who is going to be applying for most jobs. There will likely be a pool of applicants with varying degrees of experience and skills that will be competing against you.

However, an internship can make you stand out above the rest and give you the boost you need to secure your ideal job. It can be particularly valuable if you have your eyes on a specific company or job.

Even more, getting an internship can help pave the way for you to earn a full-time position at a company. As a matter of fact, returning and non-returning interns usually receive first pick at positions within companies they intern for.

Think about it. Hiring managers have a pool of applicants. Most likely, a lot of these applicants are like you: recent college grads, only some work experience, newly developed skills, etc. However, you stand out amongst the rest because the hiring manager knows your name, and the company knows your abilities. Chances are you’ll be picked over someone they don’t know.

Reason 3: Build Your Network

One of the best benefits of getting an internship after graduation is the opportunity to build up your network. The individuals that you meet as an intern can often become the most influential and helpful people in your professional career. These people can act as mentors, professional references, or connections to new job opportunities.

Vying for a full-time position in the company you’re interning for? Make a strong connection with your internship supervisor, who may be able to pull some strings at the end of your internship and help you move up the ranks to a full-time position.

And you aren’t just limited to making connections with only people on your team. Meeting with different clients, customers, or people working in different job functions or teams can also make valuable professional connections.

There are many people that you can interact with during an internship. Building relationships with each of them can help you build your professional network which can open up doors for you in your ideal career.

Recap

Though a post-grad internship may not necessarily have the same ring as a full-time job, don’t fret! Post-grad internships are an extremely valuable way to bulk up your resume, get ahead of the competition, and extend your professional network. And just maybe, you can leverage your internship for a full-time paid position.

The post A Post-Grad Internship Is More Valuable Than You Think appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re looking to add marketing experience to your resume during college or you’re ready to land your first full-time job, there are plenty of opportunities out there for passionate creatives with a desire to work in the marketing industry.

Here are seven marketing jobs and internships you can apply for now.

Internships

Marketing & Social Media Intern, Knotel

Knotel is on the lookout for a marketing and social media intern who’s a total rockstar when it comes to creating brand awareness. Your workday at this real estate startup will include working on strategy for social channels, creating lookbooks and monitoring trends in the corporate real estate industry. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your marketing skills while working for a wonderful company. Bonus points for anyone with experience in graphic design. Apply here

Growth & Marketing Intern, AND CO

As a growth and marketing intern at AND CO, you’ll wear a variety of different hats. From assisting with new marketing campaigns to developing partnerships and everything in between, you’ll have serious hands-on experience by the end of your internship. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a love for marketing, this could be the perfect internship for you. Apply here

Educational Marketing Intern, Novel Effect

Have an interest in both marketing and research? Look no further than this position with Novel Effect. As an educational marketing intern, you’ll not only get to develop marketing campaigns and generate opportunities for growth, you’ll also get to conduct research to aid in creating incredible educational experiences. Best of all, this position offers a lot of room to grow! Apply here

Marketing Communications Intern, Philips Lighting

As a marketing communications intern at Philips Lighting, you’ll get a chance to develop communication strategies for a company that’s doing amazing things with lighting technology. From writing copy to conducting interviews to event planning and even product design, there are endless opportunities to make an impact as an intern at Philips. Oh, and did we mention that they have one of the coolest offices around? Apply here

Full-Time Jobs

Digital Marketing Associate/Content Manager, Blueprint Income

Your chance to thrive in New York City is here! If you have a background in marketing and are interested in personal finance, this digital marketing position at Blueprint Income is calling your name. In this role, you will manage social media, write engaging content, design ads and much more. Apply here

Advertising Account Executive, Cox Communications

As the third-largest cable company in the U.S., Cox Communications is seeking an advertising account executive to join their highly-ranked diverse team. You’ll be working directly with clients, maintaining customer relationships, delivering presentations and a whole lot more. The best part? The position offers a highly competitive salary and the chance to start your career off with a bang. Apply here

Sales and Marketing Representative, Four Pillars Marketing

Love to travel and want to get paid to do it? Working as a sales and marketing rep for Four Pillars comes with national and international travel opportunities. You’ll shine in this position if you work well with clients and can become the face of Four Pillars Marketing by representing the brand. Apply here

Ready to land the perfect marketing job? Check out our full list of entry level jobs and internships.

The post Want to Get Started in Marketing? These Companies are Hiring Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to being a rockstar intern, 17-year-old Isabelle Scheerer knows what it takes to get the job done. As an intern at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Isabelle is responsible for managing the organization’s social media accounts and developing new engagement and research strategies along the way.

To find out what it takes to succeed as an intern, we asked Isabelle to share some of her most important learnings. Here are her top tips for how to rock an internship.

1) Tell us about your internship.

I intern at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond, Virginia. Specifically, I intern in the education department where I am tasked with creating “Family Day” proposals. “Family Day” is an event that our museum holds a few times each year in order to educate the public about a certain culture, and to further blend that culture and the American lifestyle together. At my internship, I am in charge of several social media platforms such as Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram and (my personal favorite) Pinterest. Through the accounts, I promote museum events and showcase various artwork, artists and collections within the museum. I have also created lesson plans for classes that may be held in the future.

2) What would you say is the best part of your internship?

The best thing about my internship is the independence my supervisors give me. They are very interested in what the interns think and how we envision social media and events, allowing us to brainstorm ideas that actually make the vision come to life. For example, since the beginning they have given me the freedom to set up the social media accounts however I would like but they have also asked to see the accounts and ideas that I’ve come up with in order to get a sense of how I’ve developed the strategy. They are able to give the interns the perfect balance of structure and independence that allows us to grow and be as creative as we possibly can be. The support and encouragement I feel while working here is truly incredible; I couldn’t ask for a better internship or job.

3) What’s been your biggest learning experience so far?

The biggest learning experience I have encountered so far has been dealing with the regulations and guidelines involved with social media posting. Since I am in charge of posting images of artwork and artists, I have had to learn and understand what can and cannot be posted on the accounts, and in what way they can be posted. I have encountered the long process of steps it takes to earn complete approval before any public posting can be done. Though it has been a learning experience, and sometimes a lengthy one, the process has helped me further understand the way business protocol actually occurs.

4) Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I hope to see myself growing in the field of fashion. I hope to be working at a big-name company, furthering my knowledge, gaining hands-on experience and increasing my passion for fashion design and merchandising. I hope to be working my way up in the field and to be on the way to creating my own fashion line. I have big dreams, and I have high hopes of achieving them, no matter how long it may take to get there.

5) If you had to give advice to another young intern, what would it be?

I would tell them not to give up and to fight for what they believe in. Most people are afraid to do something at such a young point in their life, but I think it helps you to grow. Maybe it’s scary, but I like to think that without being scared once in a while, you’ll never be able to achieve what you want. I would also tell them not to be afraid of being different or thinking outside the box. My creativity and differences are the reason I am where I am today and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Most of all, I would tell them that success takes time, so don’t be unhappy or discouraged if it takes you some time to get to where you want to be. The one thing you will always have is your passion, creativity, and drive — don’t ever let anyone try to take that away from you.

The post 17-Year-Old Rockstar Intern Shares Her Tips for Success appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to finding a great internship, knowing where to apply is just as important as having a strong resume and preparing for your interview. To make it easier to find awesome opportunities, we’ve put together a list of the best internship programs at companies across the country.

Whether you’re interested in marketing, engineering or human resources, there’s a program out there that’s perfect for you!

Ready to find your dream internship? Check out our full list of opportunities and find the one that’s right for you.

The post The Best Internship Programs for 2017 appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Roughly a year and a half ago, during my freshman year of college, I became a campus rep for WayUp. I first found out about the company from a post my floormate put in a Facebook group. At the time, I was extremely eager to take on my first part-time job in college and, looking back now, it was the best decision I have ever made.

I’ve come to know over the past 18 months that WayUp makes a difference in people’s lives, including my own; both my mind (and my resume) are at ease because of the countless opportunities that have come my way, as a result of this amazing company, including the chance to intern in the office this summer.

Back on my first day in May, I distinctly remember walking into the building feeling both incredibly nervous and excited as I wondered what the next 12 weeks would bring. From the moment I walked into the office, I immediately felt welcomed as a part of the team, and the nerves faded away. That was when I knew that this summer would be an experience I would never forget, and as I approach my last week, it’s clear that I couldn’t have been more spot on.

Throughout my time here at WayUp, I have learned more than I thought possible from the nearly 60-person team. I have had the opportunity to pitch my own ideas and publish my own work on our blog, but most of all, I have been able to write directly to my fellow college students across the country, giving them advice about internships, careers, majors and college life. Perhaps the most incredible part of my experience was my participation in the creation of the first-ever National Intern Day.

As an intern myself, I can’t even begin to describe how rewarding it was to help create a day to celebrate interns. From researching a variety of topics related to internships to writing content for our blog, email and social media channels to helping film intern testimonials and even  putting together intern celebration kits, I am so proud of the work I have done here and so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing campaign.

Additionally, having the chance to complete a wide variety of tasks throughout the internship, like helping to develop the campus rep program and providing feedback about the site’s current onboarding process, has taught me so much about myself. I have discovered new interests and explored existing ones, developing them even further in the process. I am absolutely blown away by how much I’ve learned this summer, and none of it would have been possible without WayUp. It has been a privilege to learn from the group of talented and brilliant individuals who make up the WayUp team.

I looked forward to coming into work every day, and as a native New Jerseyan making an almost two-hour commute each way, I can honestly say that it was worth every delayed train and crowded bus. I wouldn’t trade my experience here at WayUp this summer for anything (even more sleep!).

Between choosing a major, thinking about what you want to do as a career and ultimately figuring out who you are, college can be a rough time. Because of that, I want all of my fellow college students to know that WayUp truly cares about helping us find jobs, internships and our career paths, and at the end of the day, I honestly believe that you’re not going to find that sort of connection or compassion anywhere else.

And finally, to WayUp, thank you for helping to shape me into the person I am today and thank you for turning me into a true New Yorker. #IFeelBlessed.

The post Thank You, WayUp: Reflecting on My Summer Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Did you know WayUp started a National Holiday? Well, ICYMI here are a few of the highlights from the first ever National Intern Day! 

1. 9:00 AM EST: Liz Wessel is on the TODAY Show with Al Roker

2. 11:15 AM EST: #NationalInternDay is a trending topic on Twitter in NYC

3. 12:30 PM EST: Liz & JJ (Co-Founders of WayUp) take WayUp’s summer interns to lunch for National Intern Day

4. 2:00 PM EST #NationalInternDay is a trending topic on Twitter in the US

5. 3:00 PM EST: The one and only John Legere posts about #NationalInternDay on Twitter

Shout out to the awesome @TMobile interns out there! Best #SlowCookerSunday audience I could have ever asked for! #NationalInternDay #TBT pic.twitter.com/LUvYiO0lft

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) July 27, 2017

6. 4:20 PM EST: WayUp’s Facebook Live Session with L’Oréal America CEO

7. 4:30 PM EST: WayUp CEO Liz Wessel is on Cheddar TV

8. 5:00 PM EST: WayUp is #Trending worldwide on Twitter!

9. 5:30 PM EST: WayUp recognizes it’s summer interns with an ice cream party

10. 7:00 PM EST: Bars around the city including Brother Jimmy’s and SideBar celebrate #NationalInternDay

…and that’s a wrap! Interested in learning more? Check out nationalinternday.com! 

Want to know learn what it takes to be one of the Nation’s best interns? Check out this year’s winners here!

Also, here’s a few more awesome #interns:

We ❤ our interns here at the Embassy of Italy 🇮🇹🇺🇸 in Washington DC! They’re amazing! #NationalInternDay pic.twitter.com/MIifQACST0

— Italy in US (@ItalyinUS) July 27, 2017

Melinda Gates in on the #NationalInternDay action

NASA’s interns also had some fun celebrating.

Tomorrow is #NationalInternDay! We're celebrating with the #InternEclipse photo challenge. Vote for your favorite!☀️ pic.twitter.com/LjRjXr2Kk8

— NASA Internships (@NASAInterns) July 26, 2017

Even Pikachu had something to say

Last (but certainly not least) the bright minds at Google making their mark

Huge shoutout to all the #GoogleInterns today on #NationalInternDay! Thanks for all you do to keep Google Googley 🤗 pic.twitter.com/xvERr5ZNXX

— Google Students (@googlestudents) July 27, 2017

The post The 10 Things You Missed on #NationalInternDay appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’ve been following our blog for the past month, you know how excited we were about celebrating National Intern Day, the first day designed to highlight the achievements of amazing interns all over the country!

In addition to spotlighting hundreds of Intern Day festivities at both large and small organizations, we’ve also been running a contest to find the country’s best interns. After sorting through thousands of nominations, we’re happy to announce this year’s six winners.

Taylor Lewand, Best Marketing & Communications Intern

As an intern in the marketing department of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Taylor works on various aspects of digital media including coordinating print and digital ads. As part of her role, Taylor also attends job fairs on behalf of the Gazette, getting a chance to meet and network with people who are interested in working for the company. According to Taylor, her favorite part of the job is connect with people and creating lasting relationships with them, something she’s excited to continue doing as she moves into her next role and through her career.

Gabrielle Macagnone, Best Operations & Finance Intern

As an operations intern at Chanel, one of the biggest fashion brands in the world, Gabrielle works on various aspects of the business including assisting the management team with coordinating the flow of products to each of the company’s boutiques. “Gaining knowledge as an intern is so important for the career path I’m going to take,” says Gabrielle, explaining that she plans to look for a role in strategic planning or finance after graduation, and is eager to apply everything she’s learned during her internship.

Noah Roberson, Best Product & Engineering Intern

Training to be an engineer can be an intense process but as Noah discovered during his internship this summer, it can also be an incredibly rewarding one. As an engineering intern at Delphi, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, Noah is responsible for ensuring that products meet government regulations before going to market. He credits his internship with helping him learn valuable skills like problem solving and communication, and feels confident that his experience as an intern has prepared him to take on any job moving forward.

Nicole Best, Best Sales & Business Development Intern

As a sales intern at CDW, Nicole has gained significant hands-on experience in both IT and sales. Assisting the team in Northern California, she is responsible for a variety of sales support tasks including making phone calls to find new leads. “Internships are super important,” Nicole says, explaining how happy she is with her decision to intern at CDW and emphasizing the great skills she’s learned along the way. She plans to continue working in sales after graduation and hopes to be part of a team at a Fortune 100 company.

Nicola Paul, Best ‘Learn-it-All’ Intern

Doing a little bit of everything is one of the best ways to learn a new job, and as an HR intern at the Maryland State Department of General Services, Nicola has had the chance to do exactly that. From coordinating sessions on interview etiquette to establishing long-term connections with others at the organization, Nicola credits her internship with offering her an amazing overall experience and the skills she needs for lasting success. “I have met so many great people who have not only mentored me, but have helped me as well,” she says, explaining that this mentorship has been invaluable in guiding her as she prepares for her career.

Janet Van, Best Design & Creative Intern

As a software developer intern at IBM, Janet has learned all about the company’s critical applications and has worked on automating the preparation process used to maintain them. “IBM has offered me more than any course could teach me,” she says. “This is why I believe internships are extremely important, because it’s vital to explore different work cultures and what kind of job roles are currently out there.” For Janet, her internship has provided her with valuable training  that has allowed her to flourish both personally and professionally. She plans to hold on to that training as she takes the next step in her career and credits IBM with giving her the tools she needs to follow her dreams.

Internships are an incredibly important part of jump-starting careers and, as these rockstar interns have discovered, they’re also a great way to build lasting relationships that can help you throughout your life. Ready to find an internship that can turn you into an all-star? Check out our full list of opportunities to find the one that’s right for you.

The post These Are the 6 Best Interns in the Country appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

‘National Intern Day seems like such a cool idea, but it’s only the first day. It’s July 6th and I’ve got until July 27th. I’ve got plenty of time to check out nationalinternday.com and submit a nomination. I’m not going to worry about it just yet.’

Perhaps this is what you’ve been saying to yourself over the past few weeks as you read our internship articles, watched our video content, tuned into our Facebook live sessions and discussed the new holiday with your friends, family and co-workers, but now the last day to submit a nomination has arrived and it’s time to stop procrastinating. With National Intern Day launches today, July 27th and there are several reasons why you should still get in those last-minute nominations and enter the contest.

You’ll make someone’s day.

Whether you nominate yourself, your cousin or your internship manager, you will make someone’s day when that person checks their email to find that they have been nominated for an intern award. The purpose of National Intern Day is to recognize the interns and the companies that employ them for putting so much effort into what they do every day and letting people know that their work is valued and important will definitely put a smile on their face (or on your own).

You’ll have your name attached to the first-ever holiday celebrating internships.

Internships have changed immensely over the years. The majority of internships used to consist of interns fetching coffee, making copies and running errands all day, while now most internships help students establish themselves in the professional world and direct them on their career paths. So whether you’ve had five internships or you’ve yet to have an internship, entering the contest will strengthen the reputation of internships, which will affect how they are conducted in the years to come.

You’ll learn.

Maybe you’re thinking that you couldn’t possibly learn anything by simply entering information and clicking a button, but National Intern Day is about so much more than that. You’ll have the chance to learn about some of the best internship programs in the country as well as the qualifications of a good intern, which will help you in your job search and throughout your professional life.

The reasons to enter the contest are endless, so take a few minutes to submit your favorite intern or your favorite intern program now at nationalinternday.com before it’s too late. You’ll be glad you did!

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post Last Chance to Enter the National Intern Day Contest appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are a huge part of students’ college experience, and nearly every student will have an internship or similar experience throughout their time in college, so we’re recognizing the hard work and dedication that goes into these programs, from both the interns themselves and from their program managers and supervisors.

National Intern Day is taking place this Thursday, July 27th — just one day away! Throughout the month of July, you’ve seen internship-related articles, intern video testimonials from recent grads to CEOs, and Facebook live sessions with CDW Corporation, Under Armour and Unilever, with L’Oreal on the horizon for this coming Thursday. Hundreds of companies have pledged to participate and nominations for both interns and intern programs have been coming in left and right. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, we have good news— there’s still time to be a part of National Intern Day!

If you want to nominate yourself, a friend or a company where you’ve interned, visit nationalinternday.com to submit your nomination for Best Intern (in one of six categories) or Best Intern Program Manager. National Intern Day is a holiday to celebrate you, so if you worked on a project that was then later implemented by the company you interned for, that deserves a pat on the back. If you know your friend juggled several projects at once and managed to meet deadlines without any issues, that shouldn’t go unrecognized. Once you enter the contest, spread the word. Share on social media, and tell everyone you know about the first-ever holiday for interns and intern programs nationwide.

The winners will be unveiled on Tuesday, August 1st and will have the chance to choose $750 worth of credit to AirBnb, Apple, Amazon, Lyft, Stubhub or Target, so you don’t want to miss out on the chance for you (or your friend) to win some serious cash. On top of the prize, you’ll have bragging rights for winning a National Intern Award; now that’s definitely a resume and confidence booster.

There’s only one day left to get in on the fun, so head on over to nationalinternday.com now to submit a nomination. You won’t regret it.

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post Only 1 Day Left to Enter the National Intern Day Contest appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships have become a necessary part of the college experience. In fact, according to NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 65% of college graduates in 2015 had an internship while in school.This percentage will definitely keep rising, especially given that employers are looking for more and more experience from entry-level employees.

But while internships are great, there are definitely problems that can arise. One common one? Not all internships are what they seem to be. Here are five steps you can take if your internship isn’t what you expected.

1. Assess the Situation

As soon as you realize that your internship is not going in the right direction, take a step back and think about what is happening. Why did you expect it to be different? Were you promised a lot more than you are being given? Are you not getting the hourly pay or stipend that was listed on the job posting? Did you think you were going to get hands-on public relations experience, but you actually spend most of your time cleaning and taking out the garbage?

Make a list of what you feel is wrong. Writing it on paper will help you come to your senses, so jot down an old-fashioned list. You might realize that some of those “problems” aren’t as bad as you originally thought, or maybe there really is something suspicious going on here.

2. Ask Around to Other Interns

If there are other interns in your office or building, you should definitely reach out to them or observe what they’re up to. If they seem to be having the same experience as you, maybe you can go through the rest of these steps together.

However, if they are having a positive experience, you should find out what they are doing differently. Maybe they are taking more initiative or being more social. If you change those little things while you’re on the job, there is a good chance that your experience might change for the better. Your fellow interns can help make your internship better, and now you might have a new friend too!

3. Make the Most Out of Your Time

Everyone hates hearing this, but maybe it’s you that needs to change, not the internship. If you act like you’re not happy to be there, then you will probably never be truly happy. Try your best to be motivated, and act like you want this job. Staying on top of your assignments is so important, but interns are often left with extra time. Ask for extra work (most supervisors would love to have more help!), and request time to take employees to coffee to learn more about them, their roles, and their career paths.

4. Talk to Your Supervisor

If you feel that you are not learning the skills that you had hoped, your supervisor might be able help. While you might not want to flat-out say that you aren’t happy with your internship, talk to him or her about what you were expecting to learn. Your boss might be able to find responsibilities that are in line with what you’re looking for.

If you have any other questions or concerns, make sure to bring them up! If your boss isn’t open to allowing you to do other work, at least you will realize what kind of internship you want (and don’t want).

5. Network With Employees

Networking is a huge part of getting new jobs and opportunities. At every internship you get, make sure to stop in and say hello to all of the employees. Since they have actual positions at the company, find out how they got there. They might even have suggestions for you. Even if your experience at the internship is not the greatest, at least you will leave knowing that you made as many connections as possible.

While it is definitely unfortunate if your internship is not what you expected, following these five steps will help you make the most of it.

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop. 

The post 5 Steps You Can Take if Your Internship Isn’t What You Expected appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Time flies by when you’re having fun, right? It seems like just yesterday you were getting your information packet and learning all about the wonderful company that brought you in. Now you’re counting down your last days and squeezing in as much as you can.

Internships fly by, seriously, and you won’t even remember all the hard work you did towards the end. While you wrap up your last assignments and bond as much as you can with the staff and your intern friends, remember to do a few of these things too.

Plan out what you want to write in your thank you cards.

Before you even ask, yes you need to write thank you cards. Not a thank you email, not a verbal thank you, but a physical card that details what you are thankful for and how much you appreciate the time and opportunity that you were given. No matter how good you are at writing cards or thinking on your feet, you need to plan out what you want to write. It’s important to express your gratitude for the internship and your thanks to your internship supervisor. You should also take this time to think about who you want to write a card to. Obviously you should write cards to your department supervisors and intern coordinators, but is there anyone who helped you out that didn’t have to? Did you work closely with anyone from other departments? I’d consider writing them cards too to show your appreciation as well. The reason you do all of this? To show you’re a team player.

Write out what tasks and responsibilities you held and what new skills you learned.

The reason you want to do this before your internship comes to an end is so that you don’t forget anything. This information is what you need to add to your resumé, LinkedIn page, WayUp profile (hint, hint), and any kind of profile you have that employers can see. I suggest that you keep a running list starting at the beginning of your internship. Even if you only use a new program for one assignment, you still have experience with it and you never know when you could use it again.

If you have more time, ask for more assignments.

If you’re just a BOSS and finish all your last assignments, see if your supervisor has anything else for you to do. It could be a simple task of organizing some paperwork, or writing down messages from her voicemail, or he or she might lend you out to another department. No matter how maniacal the task, do it and don’t complain. It might not be the most glamorous job in the world, but doing it will show how dedicated you are to your internship, even as it comes to an end. Let’s not forget about getting recommendations!

Take in as much as you can and treat every day like a new one.

An internship is an ultimate experience. No two internships are alike, so treat each day like it’s your first, or your last! Take time to bond with your fellow interns, chances are you have a lot in common or have things to learn from one another! Bond with the staff, they were just like you once! Forming relationships outside, or even inside the office will change your internship experience completely. Trust me when I say this. One of my favorite internships provided an amazing experience because not only did I learn more than I had at any other internship, but the intern crew and staff were so friendly. We were not only co-workers, but friends too.

Enjoy this time and continue to work hard. Just because the end is near doesn’t mean you can slack off or ignore your responsibilites. After all, all that hard work you did was for something, end your internship on a strong note!

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post What to Do When Your Internship Comes to an End appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Though remote opportunities give you the freedom to work on your terms, they can still be just as challenging as working in-person.

The lack of physical management can cause a learning curve in a lot of interns. On top of learning during your internship, you also have to learn vital lifelong skills to manage your work independently. For first-time remote interns, it can be exhausting to stay productive when nobody is watching. Nevertheless, this is not an impossible task.

While it may seem unlikely and stressful at times, you can do this, and here are some helpful tips that’ll help you stay on track.

1. Make a Separate Work Space

Separating your work area from your bedroom can keep you from doing other unproductive activities, such as taking a nap or binge watching Netflix.

Likewise, having a designated work space, even if it is your kitchen table, allows you to associate that area with productivity. Association of a workspace can put you in the mood to work more easily than working in a space that is associated with sleep or relaxation.

2. Use a Specific Scent or Chew Gum

Studies show that chewing gum can increase productivity. While this study was conducted on test-takers, the same principle can be applied to studying and even working. Pick your favorite gum, preferably a long-lasting one, and stick to it. Once you walk into your workspace, pop a piece of that gum, and over time you will have a more auspicious working environment.

If you aren’t a gum person, you can use a specific scent in the same way. Choose your favorite soothing candle or incense in the same way you would gum. No, don’t ingest it, just use it near your workspace and reap the results.

3. Reward Yourself

Rewarding yourself for all of your hard work can create some positive reinforcement, which will make you work smarter (and not just harder). Create a system so that you take a 15-minute break after 45 minutes of working. Why should you break after working for 45 minutes? This system allows you to track yourself on an hour-to-hour basis, which allows you to easily schedule your work and play time. Plus, working for 45 minutes at a time can help reduce the chance that you will feel overwhelmed by your tasks.

Most importantly, it’s important that your break consists of mindless activities that should be conducted in a different location than your workspace. Eat a snack, or if you aren’t hungry, go for a walk or exercise for a bit. Better yet, you could color a page in an adult coloring book. After all, coloring can reduce stress, which will make you feel reenergized to start working again when your 15 minutes are up.

4. Practice Wrist and Hand Exercises

Repetitive motions, like typing and writing, can cause some serious issues with your hands and wrists. Most commonly, repetitive motions and lack of motion can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Above are some helpful exercises to make sure your phalanges stay in fine working conditions.

5. Organize Your Desk

Maintaining organization on and around your desk will not only declutter your workspace, but it can also declutter your mind. Plus, an effective organization plan will make it easier for you to find important documents. While organization limits distractions, it is also important to make your workspace comfortable and fun.

6. Decorate Your Office

Although the point of having a tidy desk is to reduce clutter, it is also relevant that you refrain from exterminating clutter entirely. Decorating your office can make your work more comfortable.

Speaking of comfort, splurging on a cozy faux-leather office chair, or even a recliner, might give you enough incentive to sit down and get to work. However, if you want to ensure you get active while you work, you can trade in your stationary seat for an exercise ball. After all, some light exercise can make you more alert, among other helpful benefits.

Though these tips also apply to traditional in-house internships, they can help remote novices do great work from anywhere (even a dorm room!). As basic as these tips may seem when you implement them, they will ensure that your remote internship is anything but basic.

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post 6 Ways to Stay Productive During a Remote Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In the workplace, introverts get a hard rap. Not only are they labeled as unenthusiastic and poor team players, but others may assume that because they prefer to work quietly on their own, that they’re actually unproductive, or even worse, inattentive. In reality, introverts are capable of tackling the same tasks and responsibilities as extroverts; they just tackle them in their own way.

If you feel as if you’re an introvert, you may be worried about your inability to compete with extroverted interns. Don’t fret. In fact, because of the introvert tendency to think through situations before reacting, you actually have a lot of clear advantages over extroverts. Here are five ways you can shine as an introvert in your internship:

1. Quality over Quantity

Introverts are thinkers. You might not come up with five new ideas and excitedly share them over the course of one brainstorming session, but the idea you do come up with will be the cream of the crop. Rather than bursting out the idea the moment you conceive it, you’ll quietly gather your thoughts in order to perfect the idea, and only then, will you share it.

Introverts will thus not give unfounded ideas, which is a great timesaver in the workplace. Even if more outspoken interns are better at making their ideas heard, introverted interns are better making their ideas implemented.

2. Independence

Employers are always looking for focused team members who produce high-quality work, and introverts tend to be very good at staying focused on the task at hand. They think about the problem, form a solution, and just do it without getting distracted by small talk.  Bosses won’t need to ask them to solve a problem; chances are, if they have found the problem, they’re already working on finding the solution. In short, introverted interns are great at staying on task with little direction.

3. Desire to Improve

Introverted people may not seem outwardly competitive, but they undoubtedly feel a certain sense of competition. Instead of competing with others, they’re competing with themselves, a more fruitful, and engaging endeavor. They’re constantly challenging themselves to do better, which means they’ll be focused during work, but they’ll also be preparing outside of work. Introverted interns don’t just try hard on the job; they’re reading and learning more about the industry in their spare time.

 4. Passion

Not only are introverts passionate about improving themselves, they’re passionate about upholding their interests and beliefs. If you’re an introvert interning at a substance abuse rehab center, you probably feel passionate about fighting drug abuse, and you’ll do everything you can to help the patients get clean.

 5. Good Listening Skills

Introverts watch, listen, and observe in order to get all the information they need to hit the nail on the head the first time around. Supervisors won’t have to explain a concept or a process over and over; once introverts understand the idea, they’ll start looking for other places to apply it.

Tips for Interning as an Introvert

Despite all the inherent strengths introverts have in internships, it can be a little hard to figure out how to use these strengths. Here are three tips for succeeding in your internship as an introvert:

1. Take Notes

In order to calm down before an important meeting, write down all the notes you think you’ll need, or even plan out some of what you’ll say. Nobody is going to look down on you for over-preparing for a big meeting, and it’s always better than under-preparing and not understanding everything you need to do.

2. Regroup When Needed

If you’re feeling stressed or frantic, don’t be afraid to take a few minutes to calm down and regroup. Get your thoughts in order and return to work with a positive mindset.

3. Plan, Plan, Plan

Internships are often high-pressured so planning ahead of time can prevent you from having an uncomfortable “deer in headlights” moment. Yes, you’ll need to think on your feet, but your day will turn out better if you’ve prepared as much as you can.

The most important thing to remember is that even though you are an introvert, it’s not a curse—you are just as much of a valuable member of the team as an extrovert! You bring a different set of experiences and thought processes to the table, and that is extremely useful to any company. Instead of feeling ashamed of your introversion, embrace it—understand the importance of quality and hard work!

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post 5 Advantages Introverts Have In Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

“What in the world is that!?” I’m guessing you’ve already asked this question during your summer internship.  What makes an internship valuable is that immediately after you learn something new, you are thrown into hands-on experiences to test your knowledge.  After learning what a sales pitch is, you reach out to clients directly; after learning a new programming language, you write computer software according to that new information. The quicker you can become knowledgeable about what you’re working on, the more successful you’ll be. This article will show you how you can accelerate your learning curve.

1) When you collide with something you don’t understand, catch it before it slips away!

Write down that word or topic so you don’t forget it, and then start gathering information as soon as you can.

2) Learn for the sake of personal growth.

Even if what you’re learning about doesn’t relate to your specific job as a summer intern, you’ll still benefit by being knowledgeable about it. You could end up working in that particular field or you could use your knowledge to contribute to an important conversation.

3) Take advantage of all the resources available at your fingertips:

• E-books: provide in-depth information.  Quora.com is a great resource, especially for tech students.
• Forums: give you the street-knowledge of the topic
• Magazines: are interactive and fun to read
• Blogs: allow you to interact with a community of specialists.  For instance, if you want to learn more about SEO, great.

Your colleagues should be glad to respond to any questions you have.  If they don’t know the answer, then you have just created an opportunity for them to learn alongside you. Use Twitter and Facebook to post questions.  When you spark an online discussion, you never know what knowledge could be shared or who could join the discussion.

There is a gap between being familiar with a topic and being a master of it. You can bridge that gap by purposefully acting to accelerate your learning curve throughout your summer internship.

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post How to Accelerate Your Learning Curve During an Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As the go-to career platform for students and recent grads, WayUp is excited to announce that the first-ever National Intern Day will take place on July 27th, 2017. WayUp is partnering with top companies across the country including American Express, Under Armour, Dell Technologies, and Unilever to recognize the nation’s hardworking interns, and celebrate National Intern Day.

“Internships are a critical step on the path to landing a job after graduation, and launching a successful career. Despite the stereotypes, internships are not about fetching coffee and making copies. Interns are vital contributors to the organizations that they work for, so we wanted to create a single day that puts them in the spotlight.” said Liz Wessel, CEO and Co-Founder of WayUp. “WayUp has helped millions of people find internships, and we have seen firsthand how impactful those work experiences are both for the intern, and for the company that hires them.“

As a part of the National Intern Day celebration, WayUp is launching a search to find the country’s best interns, and intern programs through the Intern Awards. Starting today, interns nationwide, as well as their colleagues and friends, can submit nominations for the best interns and programs in eight unique categories. Winners of the Intern Awards will be announced on July 27th.

Companies looking to celebrate National Intern Day can pledge to recognize their interns on July 27th at www.nationalinternday.com. WayUp will send every company who pledges a free kit with information and materials to hold their own in-office intern celebration.

“We believe that internships are extremely important, and a valuable experience for a student’s professional and personal development.” said Matthew Haddad, North American University Relations Team Lead at Unilever, one of the companies participating in National Intern Day. “We want our interns to have a fun time learning about who they are, while solving real business issues.”

To nominate students and businesses for the Intern Awards, participate in any of the National Intern Day activities, or receive more information, please visit www.nationalinternday.com.

The post WayUp Celebrates America’s Interns With “National Intern Day” appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The National Intern Day campaign is in full swing and you, your fellow interns and intern programs nationwide deserve to be celebrated for the hard work and dedication you put into your positions every day. There are several reasons why you should participate, but here are just a few of the standout reasons why you’ll benefit from entering the contest.

1. Be a part of something that matters.

As an intern, there’s nothing better than feeling recognized, valued and important to the company you’re interning for. Internships are a critical stepping stone to a successful career and by entering the contest, you’re helping to establish their significance. Interns are future world leaders, so nominating a rock star intern or an intern program that consists of professionals who are dedicated to teaching and shaping the next generation of workers will highlight the fact that internships are more than just getting coffee and making copies — they’re a great way to launch a career

2. The chance to win some awesome prizes.

Although winning an award for best intern is a stellar achievement on its own, the interns in each of the six categories that receive the most nominations will receive some awesome and fun cash prizes. You can nominate a friend (or even yourself) for the chance to take home one of these amazing prizes. Intern programs will win bragging rights, so if the company you’re interning for this summer is excellent and you’re learning a lot, nominate them today and win yourself some extra brownies points.

3. It will help you in your job search.

By keeping yourself up to date on the companies that have pledged to participate as well as interns and intern programs that have been nominated, you’ll have a better idea of where to start your search when you begin applying for internships. The interns who have been nominated are interning at companies that push their interns to succeed and the programs that have been nominated consist of individuals who believe in the importance of internships. You’ll have a list of companies in hand that make interns a priority, and it’s those values that would make you want to work for a company in the first place.

National Intern Day is a day to celebrate your achievements as well as the accomplishments of interns all across the country, so don’t miss out on a day that’s all about you. Enter the contest and be proud of interns everywhere not only on July 27th, but all year long, because your time as an intern is always worth the recognition. You can go to nationalinternday.com now to enter.

The post 3 Reasons to Enter the National Intern Day Contest appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to internships, many of us often forget that there’s more to being an intern than just being someone’s assistant, and you really have to come prepared if you want to go above and beyond what’s asked of you. What do you need to prove you’re ready to get down to business? Here are seven things that the most successful interns bring to work every day.

1. The Right Planner

Having a planner that meets your specific needs is important if you want to stay organized and on time. Look for one that has both monthly and weekly spreads. You can put general reminders and events on the monthly pages, while writing down other assignments on the weekly pages.

Some websites even offer customizable planners, like Agendio and Erin Condren, where you can choose your own designs and layouts. Would you prefer a reasonably small-sized planner so it’s easy to take everywhere? Or would you rather have a larger planner, so you have plenty of room to write your daily schedule? There are so many options out there, but just make sure you pick one that works for you.

2. Extra Pens

You are probably going to lose your pens, even when you try so hard not to. We drop them while walking, we let the person sitting next to us borrow one, and we accidentally take them all home. Just be prepared by always having a ton of extra pens. You don’t want to be caught off-guard in an important lecture or meeting without a pen to take notes!

3. Lotion

If you ever find yourself unable to sleep or stressed out to the point where nothing can relax you, then you should try using some hand lotion. Bath & Body Works sells travel-size aromatherapy lotions that will make you feel better instantly, and who doesn’t feel better with softer hands?

4. Post-Its

Post-Its are one of the best ways to make reminders for yourself, and they definitely beat writing on the back of your hand like in middle school. You can literally stick them anywhere, like your computer, desk, or notebooks. The bright colors are easy to spot, so you’ll never miss a note. Post-Its come in all different colors and sizes, both lined and blank. The larger lined notes are perfect for to-do lists. Try assigning different colors for all of your commitments so you avoid getting confused.

5. Vitamin Boosts

Chances are that if you’re running around between school, work, extracurriculars, and friends, you’re going to be exhausted by the middle of the day. Even though most of us often turn to coffee when we need more energy, vitamin boosts are a better alternative.

Olly Nutrition has plenty of options, like Endless Energy vitamins for endurance and focus, which contain caffeine from green tea, B vitamins, and amino acids to give you an energy boost. If you’re one of those people who is constantly sick in the winter, they have Ultimate Immunity vitamins as well. These vitamin boosts will keep you going throughout your busy schedule.

6. Mints and Gum

Besides saving you from bad breath, having mints or gum in your bag might even be able to help you network by offering a piece to the other people around you. It will give you an extra opportunity to introduce yourself to your coworkers and supervisors that you might have not had before.

7. Positive Attitude

Probably the most important thing that every intern should bring to work is a positive attitude. At this stage in the game, we’re still trying to find our place in the real working industry. We need to love what we’re doing in order to get the most out of our experiences as interns. If your employer sees that you’re going above and beyond, so many other opportunities open up (like even a position after you graduate!). You’ll never know until you put in the extra effort.

From planners to vitamins, these things will help you make it through your long days of class and work. Now that you know the seven things that the most successful interns bring to work every day, all you need to do is make sure that you find a bag, purse, or backpack that you love to carry them all in!

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post 7 Things the Most Successful Interns Bring to Work Every Day appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So, you’ve landed a summer internship. Congratulations! As you know, internships are extraordinary opportunities to learn and grow. However, internships can only be what YOU make of them. In order to make the most of your experience, you need to set some solid goals.

Finding Your Passion & Setting Goals

Passion grows when you pursue a goal. You play with passion because you want to win, you write with passion because you want to convey, and you will work with passion because you want to succeed. “There is no passion to be found in playing small.”-Nelson Mandela

The first step to charting out how you want your internship to run its course is to look back and remember how you arrived where you are. Reflect on why you wanted to intern at the company you’re now at. How did you think the experience would serve you? Why did the idea of working there excite you? It will be important to re-ignite the spark of passion that led you to the internship as assignments are poured on you during your first days as an intern. Passion is the most direct way to your success.

Setting Successful Goals for your Summer Internship

Setting goals as an intern requires that you define success. What do you want to accomplish by the end of the summer? Some examples of this could be leading a project of your own, making a connection with another company, or receiving a job offer.

Remember to make your goals measurable. Specific numbers should be incorporated in your goals. For example, you want to prepare and present 7 fifteen-minute presentations to your manager and co-workers by the end of the summer.

Break your goal down into a more organized schedule: ex. you want to complete a presentation every week for this month.

Write your goals down. This will enable you to look back on them occasionally and check to see how you’re progressing. If one of your goals is to become an effective networker, continually develop that goal by meeting with people on a weekly basis.

Make goals that you believe you can meet. However, (and this part is crucial) once you reach the first set of goals you create, create new ones! Allow yourself to be satisfied with the accomplishment of a goal, but continue to look ahead. A marathon runner doesn’t stop to celebrate at each mile-marker.

Exceeding Expectations

No matter what industry you’re in, you should always strive not only to meet the expectations of your role but to exceed them.

The key to exceeding expectations is to take extra steps in each of your individual projects. When you finish a piece of writing, reread it several times and replace mediocre words for shimmering ones. When you finish meeting with someone, shoot them an email or Facebook message thanking them for their time. When you finish all your assignments for the day, help others fulfill theirs; I guarantee they won’t forget it. There is always more to be done. Continually be alert and search for what more you can do.

Come into your work with passion, set to exceed the clear goals you laid out for yourself.  If you keep your goals in front of you as you strive to be productive in the workplace, you will be surprised how much you will achieve. Don’t be satisfied with just a base hit; strive to hit the ball out of the park. If you do so, you will be well on your way to Mastering Summer Internships.

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post How to Set Internship Goals appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Everyone remembers their first internship. And as the go-to career platform for students and recent grads, we know the importance of internships firsthand. So, we’re partnering with top companies across the country such as American Express, Under Armour, Dell, Unilever and more to recognize the nation’s hardworking interns and celebrate the first-ever National Intern Day on July 27th.

“Interns are vital contributors to the organizations that they work for, so we wanted to create a single day that puts them in the spotlight.” says Liz Wessel, the CEO and co-founder of WayUp. “WayUp has helped millions of people find internships, and we’ve seen firsthand how impactful those work experiences are both for the intern, and for the company that hires them.“

Your company can celebrate too

If you want your company to be part of the celebration, you can pledge to participate on the National Intern Day site. To help you make the day special for your interns, we’ll send your company a free kit with information and materials to hold your own in-office intern celebration. We also recommend hosting a special event on the 27th to put the focus on your interns and celebrate the amazing work they do every day. This can be anything from a mentorship session to an intern lunch or anything that feels right for your company.

Your interns can win some incredible prizes

As a part of the National Intern Day celebration, we’re launching a search to find the country’s best interns through the Intern Awards. Over the next three weeks, interns across the country, as well as colleagues, friends and employers can submit nominations for the best interns in six unique categories. The winners will be announced on July 27th and interns will receive a $750 gift card to a retailer of their choice including Amazon or Apple.

Your managers and company can be recognized as well

In addition to awarding the country’s best interns, we’re recognizing the best intern managers and internship programs. So, make sure to nominate your managers and your company to win on the National Intern Day site. We’ll be publishing a list of the top 50 internship programs at the end of the summer. We’re definitely curious to see who makes the list!

Ready to get the intern party started?

Check out the National Intern Day site and learn how your company can get involved.

We’re gearing up for the first-ever National Intern Day on July 27th. Head over to www.nationalinternday.com to learn how to get your company involved in the celebration.

The post What Employers Need to Know About National Intern Day appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are a hot topic for college students, because they are extremely important for your career and can help you get your foot in the door to the professional world. There’s no doubt that having an internship is a wonderful opportunity, but if all of your friends are talking about their internships when you haven’t had one yet, it can be easy to feel left out and possibly even behind, so it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

You have time.

Maybe you’ve already begun applying for internships or maybe you haven’t even thought about them yet. Whichever situation you find yourself in, you still have time. As a freshman or sophomore in college, you should focus on fully exploring your options. Think about the different industries and positions that interest you and consider applying to as many as possible. This will give you the best chance of landing a great internship and also help you figure out what you want (and don’t want) to do.

You can take on an unpaid internship.

Even if your ideal internship isn’t a possibility yet, there are definitely other ways to build your resume and your skill set. If you’d like to get as much experience as possible as an underclassman, consider taking on an unpaid internship. Startups and nonprofits are the perfect places to start because many offer these types of internships and having that unpaid internship under your belt will help you land a paid position later on in your college career.

You can join other clubs and organizations to boost your resume.

Internships aren’t the only types of experience that look good on a resume. To turn yourself into a well-rounded candidate, join clubs and organizations on campus or volunteer at a local nonprofit. Having a part-time job is also a great resume booster for freshmen and sophomores, because it shows your work ethic and your ability to balance the responsibility with your schoolwork, social life and other obligations. No matter what you’re involved in, your dedication to your future will be evident in your resume, in your application and in a potential interview, so no experience will go to waste.

It’s only natural to worry when you feel like you’re the only one who hasn’t had an internship, but there are many other students in your shoes. If you keep adding experiences to your resume and applying for positions, the time will come for you to be the one talking about your internship to your friends and family. Just remember not to stress too much, because the fact that you’re already thinking about it is a big step in the right direction.

The post 3 Reasons Not to Panic if You Haven’t Had an Internship Yet appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you want to make extra cash or add experience to your resume, there are several reasons for taking on both a part-time job and an internship at the same time. You might need the extra cash from a part-time job because of an unpaid internship or you might be trying to increase the amount of money you can save by working two paid positions at once. Whatever your reasons, it takes a lot of time and energy to do both. In order to maximize your time in each role and prevent yourself from burning out, check out these tips to help keep your schedule manageable.

1. Speak to your supervisors.

Working two jobs will inevitably lead to a busy schedule so  it’s important to be upfront with your supervisors at your internship and your job about your other obligations in order to avoid conflicts. If your internship requires you to be in the office on weekdays, see if you can take night and weekend shifts at your part-time job. Although most employers will understand that you have other responsibilities outside of work, sometimes an overlap is unavoidable. Having a packed schedule almost always results in a conflict at some point or another, so if your supervisors are aware of your situation, things will go much more smoothly when an issue arises.

2. Be realistic about your time.

Good time management skills are a must when you have a part-time job and an internship. Because your days are planned around your work schedule it’s important to make sure that you use your spare time well. This could include doing homework, studying, going to club meetings or hanging out with your friends. You don’t want other aspects of your life to fall to the bottom of your priority list. You know yourself best, so if you find that your schedule is getting to be too much to handle, you may need to rethink your situation.

3. Take care of yourself.

Self-care often becomes nonexistent when you’re running around every day, but it’s something you need to prioritize if you want to maintain a balanced life. Since your body is constantly moving, you need to recharge yourself. Eat healthy meals, sleep seven to eight hours per night and take breaks throughout the day. Although those things can seem trivial compared to what you have on your plate, ignoring your physical and mental health is not the answer. The busier you are, the more necessary it becomes to take care of yourself, because no matter what you’re doing, your well-being comes first.

Finding the perfect balance can be challenging and frustrating at times, but at the end of the day, you’re going to have great experience, a top-notch resume and hopefully some financial security. Just keep your eye on the prize, but remember not to stretch yourself too thin. Follow these tips and you’re already on the right track.

The post Top 3 Tips for Balancing A Part-Time Job & An Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve made it through your first day and your first week. You’ve met everyone in the office, familiarized yourself with the location, and gotten a grip on the commute. So, now what? You’re still in the early stages of the internship, but your responsibilities and projects are beginning to kick into high gear, and you want to ensure that you succeed. Now that the work has really begun, check out these tips to keep up the positive impression you made during your first week.

1. Understand your deadlines.

This step is critical. As you begin getting assigned projects, you will be expected to turn them around by a specific date and you don’t want to be rushing to get something done at the last minute. Make sure to keep track of your time in order to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed or frustrated. If you find that you’re struggling with something, talk to your supervisor. The last thing you want is to be asked for your progress and have nothing done, so make a to-do list, prioritize what needs to be done first and check off items as you complete them. This process will be much easier than crossing tasks off in your head.

2. Expose yourself to as much as you can.

If you have the opportunity to do a variety of projects or assignments, you should take advantage of it. Internships often don’t last very long, so you want to use your time wisely. If there’s an aspect of the business that you’re really interested in, ask your supervisor if you can try out something new for a day or even for an hour. Although it can sometimes be intimidating to speak up, an internship is a learning experience for you and if you don’t ask, you’ll regret it later when your internship is over.

3. Ask questions when you’re confused.

As an intern, you’re almost always going to have questions, because you don’t have a lot of real-world experience yet and that’s okay. As long as you’re not asking the same questions repeatedly, there’s nothing wrong with doing so. In fact, your employer would probably be more surprised if you didn’t have any questions. If you’re working on a project and you need a little clarification, ask. While there are some things that you can figure out yourself, don’t sit there for hours because you’re afraid to ask for help. You’ll wind up wasting time, and most likely you’ll have to end up asking the question anyway or redoing something because you did it wrong the first time. Asking questions is a good practice — it’s the only way you’ll ever learn!

4. Put forth your greatest effort.

Although you may be challenged and you may find what you’re doing difficult sometimes because it’s all new to you, the most important thing you can do is to try your best. Whether you make a mistake or do something perfectly the first time around, your supervisor will be able to tell if you put a lot of work into it or if you just threw something together. Your work ethic will show, so be sure to always put your best foot forward and your dedication and determination will be respected.

You’re going to have a few pitfalls during your first month, but that doesn’t mean you’re not a good intern. The first month consists of almost entirely new experiences, and once your first month is underway, you’ll be better prepared for the second, then the third, and so on. Try to keep in mind that practice makes perfect.

The post How To Tackle The First Month Of Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

While there are many steps you can take to make yourself an all-star intern, there are also mistakes you can make (sometimes unknowingly) that can have the opposite effect. In order to avoid these, it’s important to remember why you’re at your internship in the first place. Although it should definitely be a fun experience, you are receiving college credit and perhaps other forms of compensation to contribute your time and effort to the organization, so staying motivated and productive is a must.

To avoid landing yourself in hot water, check out our top tips about what not to do at your next internship.

1. Don’t spend time on your phone or on social media.

Unless there is an emergency or you’re expecting an important call, there is no need to be on your phone throughout the day. You’re at your internship to learn and to work and if you spend your day slacking off and not accomplishing your goals, it will not go unnoticed. Surfing social media sites or texting all day will make it seem like you don’t care at all about the position and that you don’t want to be there. The last thing you want to be known for at your internship is being lazy or unproductive.

2. Don’t contribute too much or too little.

There’s an important balance you want to reach between making your voice heard, yet knowing when to just sit back and listen. As an intern, you’re still relatively new to the industry and you don’t have as much experience or knowledge as your fellow coworkers. That being said, if you’re asked for input or if you have a suggestion that you think is worth contributing, then by all means, do it. You just want to make sure that you’re not overstepping your place or coming off like a know-it-all.

3. Don’t be closed-minded.

An internship is meant to be a learning experience and you want to gain as much knowledge as you possibly can, so never say no to a project or a task because you don’t want to do it or because you think you won’t like it. Give everything a chance, because not only is it your job as an intern to follow instructions, but it will ultimately help you decide what you see yourself doing as a future career.

It can be difficult to know what not do in a new position, especially as an intern, but by following these tips, you’ll knock a bad habit before you even start it.

The post 3 Things You Shouldn’t Do At Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your first week at an internship is extremely important. It’s when expectations are determined and you learn even more about what you’ll be doing throughout your time at the company. You’re setting the course for the remaining weeks, so you want to make sure that you do everything you can in that first week to make yourself stand out to your coworkers and your supervisor.

Follow these tips below to showcase your talents and be the rockstar intern that you are!

1. Come in early and leave late.

While punctuality is expected, coming in early will make a positive impression the second you step foot in the door. This is especially important on your first day, but throughout the first week and even throughout your internship in general. If you’re working eight hours per day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., don’t show up at 9 the dot and leave at exactly 5. You’ll be much more respected as an intern if you arrive earlier than necessary and leave around the same time, if not later, than everyone else, because you’re going above and beyond the minimum requirement.

2. Introduce yourself to everyone.

Your first week is the perfect time to get to know the people that you’ll be working alongside. Meet everyone and anyone you can. Getting to know your fellow interns and coworkers will make you feel comfortable in your environment and it will give you the chance to learn from many different people. Grab coffee or lunch or even just set aside time in the office to chat. This is your time to ask questions about an individual’s position, background, and experience at the company. Your internship will be so much more rewarding if you engage and interact with those around you.

3. Familiarize yourself with the office.

Within your first week, make sure you know the location of the bathroom, the kitchen, supply closets, etc… As a new intern, you’re not supposed to know where everything is yet, but if you don’t take the time to navigate the office early on, you’re going to feel awkward asking someone questions about it later on down the road. It doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area as well. Maybe take a walk outside during your lunch break to find restaurants, stores, or anything else you might be looking for at some point. You’re going to be in the office for a majority of your time, so you want to know what’s around it too.

4. Get organized.

Even though you may not have begun any projects yet, because the first week can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, staying organized is key to being productive. Make sure to complete any tasks you may need to do to get you started like setting up your computer or desk or filling out forms. You want to have everything ready and prepared for when you start diving into your work and you don’t want to run into any issues before you even really begin.

5. Be positive.

No matter what happens on the first or second day, remain positive. Your coworkers and supervisor especially will be able to gauge your attitude, so avoid complaining or talking negatively. Wearing a smile on your face, especially during your first week, shows everyone in the company that you deserve to be there and that most importantly, you want to be there. In order to be a successful intern, you have to be willing to take on any tasks that are asked of you without hesitation. Plus, staying positive will make your time much more enjoyable.

Your first week is extremely significant, but don’t forget that an internship is meant to be a fun, learning experience for you as a student, so don’t get too caught up in any mistakes you make along the way. Just keep working hard and doing your best. Good luck!

The post 5 Tips For Rocking The First Week of Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In our fast-paced society, nearly every day consists of a busy schedule and it’s all too easy to become overwhelmed. Whether it’s school, work, your social life, or other responsibilities that are stressing you out, taking breaks is a must. They are good for your health and they give you something to look forward to during your hectic day. Even if you don’t have that much time on your hands, you can take a deep breath and relax in only 10 minutes. You wouldn’t believe the impact it will have on your mood and then when you return to work or class, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on your next task.

Check out some of our tips below to relax when you’re on the clock!

1. Go outside and take a walk.

A breath of fresh air truly is the cure for anything. If you begin to feel stressed out or you just need a minute to breathe, taking a walk outside will do the trick. It gives you a chance to remove yourself from your environment, gets your blood circulating and allows you to declutter your mind, which will help lift the weight off your shoulders. Basking in the sun (or even a little rain) for even just a short period of time will rejuvenate you.

2. Drink a cup of tea.

Tea is meant to soothe you and help you relax, and even if aren’t a fan of tea, it’s the relaxation element that counts, so grab yourself a cup and savor the taste and the time to yourself. Enjoying the little things in life is what’s most important when you’re tense or frustrated because it serves as a reminder to not let a bad day get the best of you.

3. Write in your journal.

Journaling is a wonderful stress reliever. Write about anything that comes to your mind or maybe even write about what’s bothering you. Letting it all out on paper is incredibly helpful and a great way to get past the things that are stressing you out. And remember, your journal is yours only so no one else will ever read it. In this case, you really have the ability to let your thoughts loose, so that you’re not keeping everything bottled up all day and letting it grow even more.

4. Listen to music.

Bring your headphones with you everywhere you go, so when you have a few minutes to spare, you can go off in your own world. It’s the perfect way to unplug completely, because it’s just you and the music. Listen to your favorite song or listen to a song with a slow melody. Music is extremely powerful and hearing a song you like almost always puts you in a better mood, with a smile on your face.

It’s natural to experience stress now and then because it’s a part of life, but when you feel like can’t handle it anymore, take a little break and remember that it’s only temporary.

The post 4 Tips To Help You De-Stress In Only 10 Minutes appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Now that it’s almost summer, internships are the hot topic for college students. Maybe you’re starting your first internship in a few weeks or you’re in the process of applying and you’re worried that you don’t have enough experience. There’s no need to fret. Remember that summer job you had as a lifeguard at the local pool or as a camp counselor at a daycamp? They both helped you gain valuable experience and what you’ve learned as a result has prepared you for this next step. So, how exactly do you highlight those skills in a way that helps you land the job?

Focus On Your Soft Skills

Communication and problem-solving skills are necessary in any work environment. Although you might never have had a sales internship at a marketing agency, your previous experience as a camp counselor has provided you with customer service skills. Think back to the countless times you interacted with campers and their parents and helped defuse any potential problems as they arose. When you reassured parents that their children would be in good hands, you put them at ease. If you make a customer’s life less stressful by selling them a product or service at your new internship, you’re using that same skill, just in a different setting.

Highlight Your Ability to Be Productive

Punctuality, efficiency, and productivity are crucial skills for a successful employee and a successful intern. Through summers jobs, you have grasped the importance of being on time each and every day and working diligently and productively while on the job. Following instructions regarding mealtimes and bedtimes for the children you have watched as a nanny enables you to follow a timeline of deadlines for a specific project you might be working on at your accounting internship. This connects directly to having a strong work ethic and showing initiative. Working, in any capacity, illustrates your commitment and dedication to your role, your co-workers, and your company, whether this is at a part-time retail job or an internship at an engineering firm.

Emphasize the Fact that You’re a Team Player

The ability to work as part of a team is perhaps the most important skill you need to flourish anywhere. Hiring managers and recruiters actively seek out individuals who can get along well with others and who can contribute to a team effort. Working as a barista requires a lot of teamwork, because some employees take orders, while others actually make the drinks, and others still are working in the back, cleaning and doing inventory amongst other tasks. The customer wouldn’t be able to leave the coffee shop with a drink in hand if the employees didn’t work together. The same goes for launching a new brand, idea, or concept. Without the ideas of several team members and a sense of team cohesion, the project may never see the light of day.

Though these skills are only a few of the many skills that will give you a leg up in the professional world, what’s most important is how you accentuate your experience on your WayUp profile. First and foremost, do your research and figure out what qualifications companies are looking for in their candidates. Make sure to highlight any and all skills that describe you and use similar terminology, so that your skills aren’t hidden. Next, make sure you use action verbs when listing what you have done in your previous roles. Instead of saying, “I was part of a team,” say, “contributed my ideas to team project ABC, where XYZ was accomplished,” and make sure to be specific. If you created new activities for the camp where you worked, include the results of your effort. If you increased the amount of sales in your store by suggesting a reorganization of the product setup, provide numbers or percentages. What matters most is the outcome of your actions. Include a few bullet points of your key responsibilities as well as what you accomplished throughout your time in a particular role. You want your WayUp profile and resume to stand out, so sell yourself.

By honing in on your skills and following these tips, you’ll be on your way to your first internship interview and offer in no time. Good luck!

The post Transferable Skills From A Summer Job To An Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to starting your career, few things are as important as a great internship that can help you develop the skills and experience you need to succeed. To recognize the importance of internships, and the impact interns make on an organization, WayUp is launching the first-ever National Intern Day on July 27th. We figured if there could be a National Selfie Day and a National Oreo Day, there should probably be a day to celebrate our country’s future business leaders too!

We’re partnering with top companies across the country such as American Express, Under Armour, Dell, Unilever and more to recognize their hardworking interns and draw attention to the importance of internships as a necessary step on the path to professional success.

Interested in getting involved in the celebration (and possibly earning a cash prize in the process?!) Here’s what you need to know about National Intern Day:

What is National Intern Day?

National Intern Day is the first celebration of its kind, a day designed to highlight the awesome things that interns like you do every day. “Internships are a critical step on the path to landing a job after graduation,” says Liz Wessel, the CEO and co-founder of WayUp. As a company that’s helped millions of people find internships, we’ve seen firsthand how impactful those experiences can be and we want to celebrate interns who are making a difference.

How can you get involved?

As a part of the National Intern Day celebration, we’re launching a search to find the country’s best interns in six different categories:

Best Design & Creative Intern
Best Marketing & Communications Intern
Best Product & Engineering Intern
Best Sales & Biz Dev Intern
Best Operations & Finance Intern
Best “Learn it All” Intern (For those of you who do it all!)

Sound like you? If you or someone you know fits the bill, you can submit a nomination and enter yourself (or your fellow intern) in the contest. The winners will be announced on July 27th and will receive one of six awesome cash prizes, including a $750 gift card to either Amazon or Apple.

What else do you need to know about National Intern Day?

In addition to spotlighting amazing interns, National Intern Day also puts the focus on employers who are creating awesome internship opportunities and programs. So while you’re submitting a nomination for yourself, go ahead and submit one for your internship program manager and company too! This will help them get the recognition they deserve while also giving other interns the opportunity to discover great internship programs.

Want to find out more about National Intern Day and how you can win a cash prize? Head over to nationalinternday.com to get the scoop.

The post National Intern Day is Changing the Way We Think About Interns appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

On April 21st, CommonBond partnered with WayUp to co-host the first ever Startup Internship Summit in New York City, as part of CommonBond’s commitment to go beyond student loans and provide educational and career-oriented resources to the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

It definitely wasn’t your average career fair…Hundreds of students and recent grads came to this free event at Convene to network one-on-one with recruiters from New York’s top startups, like Blue Apron, Justworks, Minibar, and dozens more.

“Our team was impressed by the caliber of students we spoke with at the Internship Summit,” ValuePenguin product manager Robert Harrow said. “We found many potential intern candidates who we’re excited to follow-up with, and it was fantastic to share the stage with other leading NYC startups.”

Attendees also had the chance to hear directly from industry experts about how to land an internship at a startup during two (very candid!) back-to-back panel discussions. CommonBond streamed the videos on Facebook live, and you can check them out here and here.

Want a quick summary of the best advice from the panelists and moderators? Read below!

1. It’s ok to be bold.

According to Danielle Davis, HR Manager at Convene, it’s more than ok to be bold in your internship search. Danielle suggests that candidates can “put themselves out there” by sending a cold email to someone at the company they want to work for, and by making sure to follow up consistently after submitting an application.

2. Take initiative.

Most startup companies aren’t as structured as larger, corporate firms. Nikki Schlecker, Head of People at WayUp, says that because of this, interns are expected to hit the ground running on day 1. What’s the best way to do this? She suggests coming to your internship prepared with several ideas and projects that you want to pursue, so that you can create your own experience, and jump right in!

3. Thank you notes are key.

It sounds obvious, but a good thank you note can go a long way. In particular, make sure to personalize your thank you note, and highlight something specific you learned during that interview. Keryn Koch, Head of People at CommonBond says that her favorite notes are handwritten ones, because they show extra effort and care.

4. Be brief and avoid typos.

Syndhia Javier, Associate Director of Employer and Alumni Relations at Columbia University asked each of the panelists what their pet peeve was when it came to resumes and cover letters. All of the panelists agreed that cover letters and resumes should never go over one page, and that typos are a total dealbreaker. So…double check everything for grammar and spelling!

5. Make yourself memorable.

It’s hard to stand out in a sea of applicants. Greg Davidson, Head of Sales at Artsy, encouraged the audience to get creative during the interview process. As a candidate on the job search, he had custom shirts printed before a Skype interview with the name of the role he was interviewing for. At the end of the interview, he revealed the shirt, and, a few weeks later, landed the job!

6. No tech experience? No problem.

Startups hire for a lot more than just backend engineers and product managers. Radhika Duggal, the Vice President of Marketing at CommonBond, talked about how her background in marketing and branding for a consulting firm helped her land her current role. She explained that while having a tech background is great, the most important thing is that you have a background in something that can help move the business forward.

7. Self awareness is vital.

Mackenzie Barth, CEO and Co-Founder of Spoon University talked about the importance of self awareness during the interview process and on the job. According to Mackenzie, employers who ask about your strengths and weaknesses are really looking to figure out how well you know yourself. It’s important to be honest with yourself about what you’re good at, what you’ll need support on, and overall, what you believe you will bring to the company.

About CommonBond

CommonBond is a financial technology company on a mission to make student loans more transparent, simple, and affordable. Combining competitive rates and award-winning customer service for both undergraduate and graduate students, CommonBond has created a better borrowing experience – and funded over $1 billion in student loans for tens of thousands of members.

The company’s enterprise platform, CommonBond for Business™, enables employers to offer
a suite of student loan repayment benefits to their employees, helping attract and retain top talent in today’s workforce. And CommonBond is the first, and only, finance company with a “one-for-one” social mission: for every loan it funds, CommonBond also funds the education of a child in need, through its partnership with Pencils of Promise.

For more information, visit commonbond.co.

The post 7 Tips for Landing a Startup Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article is sponsored by Capital One; see what they’re hiring for here.

You probably know of Capital One as one of the leading American banking companies, but did you know that it’s also one of the most innovative technology firms around? After all, when it comes to making financial transactions easy, safe and secure for millions of customers, there needs to be robust technology making that happen.

How does Capital One find the best and brightest minds to take on its biggest tech challenges? It has a one-of-a-kind rotational internship to bring college students into the fold.

Capital One has an incredible 10-week rotational technology internship program that gives students real projects that help better Capital One’s business and customer experience. (No fake internship assignments here!)

One of the biggest events for interns in the program is the Capital One Technology Internship Hackathon, which challenges students to come up with the best and most innovative new ideas to help the company and its customers. Teams of students square off to create amazing new products for the brand, and they get personalized mentorship and “office hours” to talk to top leaders in the company to fine-tune their ideas.

The vibe of the event is all about experimentation and trying new concepts; interns are encouraged to come up with new ideas that the company hasn’t seen before, even if they don’t work out at first. This is also similar to the philosophy of Capital One’s entire internship program: Make it a goal to learn about things you know nothing about, and work with others to constantly improve your skills and the products you’re building.

And if you think the hackathon is all work and no play, you’re mistaken; there are arcade breaks, impromptu yoga sessions and ping pong tournaments that take place throughout the event, giving students the energy they need to bring their best ideas to the table.

Like what you see and want the opportunity to take on the Capital One Tech Internship Hackathon yourself? Head on over to WayUp and apply to Capital One’s positions now!

The post How Capital One Gets Its Tech Interns Excited About Putting Their Skills and Innovation to Good Use appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Calling all the travel lovers out there: We’ve got quite the opportunity for you.

What if we told you that you could take part in a training program that allowed you to not just rotate between different roles in your industry of choice for several years but also between different countries too?

We’re about to make your day: That program does exist, and you can apply for it right now.

Unilever, the company behind mega-brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Dove, Axe and so many more, has an incredible initiative called the Unilever Future Leaders Program (UFLP), a three-year rotation program for recent grads (and future leaders, obviously) that gives them exposure to a wide variety of fields and responsibilities. If you’re a student looking for your first big post-grad career move, UFLP is an amazing option!

A person in the finance track of the UFLP, for example, could get a crash course in financial transactions, business partnering and customer development. In contrast, the marketing track focuses on brand building, digital media and brand development. By getting that extra insight, you’ll leave with a much better idea of where you’d fit into Unilever and where your career can go.

Aside from all the great work you’re going to be doing, there’s an added perk: Travel.

Not only is the program available in 50 different countries around the world, but there are also opportunities to become part of an international rotation, meaning you could work in one country for several months before being transferred to another. In addition, because Unilever’s operation is global, there are even more opportunities to travel for business or just be in contact with people from all walks of life.

But on top of getting to travel, you also get to work with fellow Unilever Future Leaders from around the world, giving you valuable insights as to how your colleagues operate, while also getting the opportunity to bring your backgrounds together to do great work within Unilever and also within the local communities they serve. A Unilever team, for example, can work with nearby food banks and other volunteer organizations to bring sustainable food solutions to people who need them the most. Talk about making a global impact.

More information about Future Leaders Program can be found on Unilever’s website, but if you want to get started with Unilever right now, this is your chance: The company is hiring for a number of internship and co-op positions, so get those apps in ASAP!

The post Have a Case of the Travel Bug? This Purpose-Driven Company Lets You Go All Over the World appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

From learning about business trends to growing your professional network, working in finance has a lot of great perks. So whether you’re looking for your first internship or your first full-time job, finding an opportunity that matches your skills and interests will help you get the experience (and the salary) you want.

Here are 10 finance jobs and internships you can apply for now.

Internships & Part-time Jobs

Finance Intern, Jacuzzi

Want to get a hands-on feel for what it’s like to be part of an in-house finance team? As a finance intern at Jacuzzi, the premier manufacturer of products for homes and outdoor spaces, you’ll learn about all aspects of the business and use your Excel skills to help analyze sales agreements and perform risk management analyses. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning the ins and outs of business finance. Apply Here

Marketing/Finance Research Intern, Cap Hedge Ventures

Can’t decide between marketing and finance? Try out an internship where you can do both. Cap Hedge Ventures, a growing FinTech company in the northeast, is seeking a marketing/finance research intern. In this role, you’ll help manage investor information and product details. Previous interns at Cap Hedge Ventures have scored jobs with top tier finance firms, banks, and private equity funds. Apply Here

Financial Operations Analyst, Abaris Financial

As a financial operations analyst at Abaris Financial, you’ll have the opportunity to work on several short-term and long-term projects in fields related to retirement, insurance, and FinTech. Daily responsibilities will include Excel modeling for retirement spending, conducting market analyses and creating predictive models. If you’re passionate about learning new skills and constantly seek out new challenges, this could be the opportunity for you. Apply Here

Financial Advisor Internship, Lueder Financial Group

Thinking of becoming a financial advisor? Lueder Financial Group is seeking a financial advisor intern for its highly rated internship program. In this role, you’ll work with a mentor to develop the strong business and finance skills needed to become a full-time financial advisor. With paid training, commission, and stipends, this role also has many opportunities to earn while you learn. Apply Here

Marketing Intern, Roadrunner Financial

Calling all undergrads in the NYC area! Roadrunner Financial is looking for a student intern interested in marketing and advertising. This is a chance to work for a growing finance company assisting with all marketing and promotional activities. If you’re creative and enjoy social media and events, be sure to check out this great internship! Apply Here

Full-Time Jobs

Assistant to the CEO, Trenchant Funds USA

Want a finance job where you can earn $60,000+ a year? This could be the perfect opportunity for you. The CEO of Trenchant Funds is looking for a new assistant who is resourceful and great at multitasking. In this role, you’ll get wonderful exposure to what it means to work in finance while helping out with a variety of tasks including research projects, event planning, and agenda management. Apply Here

Finance Rotation Program Associate, Capital One

If you’re looking for a role with a lot of exposure to different areas of finance, Capital One’s Finance Rotation Program could be the perfect choice. As part of the program, you’ll get two years of experience in both corporate finance and accounting. Associates in this program are provided with training at Capital One University and given a mentor throughout the duration of the program to help them excel in their careers. Apply Here

Assurance Associate, CohnReznick

Are you interested in accounting and auditing? You can start your career as an assurance associate with CohnReznick, the 11th largest financial advisory firm, where you’ll have access to a great work environment and a competitive benefits package. From resolving audit issues to preparing financial statements, you’ll get a great deal of experience in this industry and the chance to be part of an awesome team. Apply Here

Data & Analytics Associate Analyst, EY

If you’re passionate about both data and finance, a role that combines both could be perfect for you. As an analyst at EY, a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, you’ll work closely with clients to deliver first-class financial services and develop code for future analysis. Oh, and did we mention the great compensation and benefits? Apply Here

Product Specialist, OppenheimerFunds

Interested in the product side of finance? As a product specialist at OppenheimerFunds, you’ll work with internal and external partners developing relationships with financial advisors from all over. You will master the asset management business, and assist in developing retirement plans for clients while getting excellent hands-on exposure in the field. Apply Here

Ready to find the finance job of your dreams? Check out our full list of jobs to find the one that’s right for you.

The post Want to Work in Finance? These Companies Are Hiring Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

With spring semester coming to an end, it’s time to start thinking about summer internships. Whether you’re interested in marketing, fashion, tech or music, there’s an internship out there that’s right for you.

Ready to get started? Here’s a list of 10 internships that you can apply to right now.

1. Fundraising Intern, DownToDash

Being part of a fast-growing startup gives you experience you can’t find everywhere else. At DownToDash, an app that connects people who are interested in the same activities (think travel, concerts, sports games and more), you’ll be involved in the early-stage growth process by helping the team raise funds and create pitch decks for investors. This is a great chance to learn about the tech industry and develop business experience that will help you jumpstart your career. Apply Here

2. Marketing Intern, Red Rabbit

If you love marketing and social media and are passionate about food, a marketing internship with Red Rabbit could just exactly what you’ve been looking for. In this position, you will get a “taste” of what it’s like to work for a growing company serving homemade lunches to schools and daycare centers. From content creation to managing social media accounts, you’ll have a lot of fun projects to work on every day. Plus, you’ll get course credit to help you satisfy your school’s requirements. Apply Here

3. Design Intern, Lucy

Have an eye for design? This design internship has your name on it. Lucy, the tech company that created an artificial intelligence assistant that’s changing the way we email and communicate, is looking for a design intern. As part of a tight-knit team with lots of room to grow, this role requires you to work with different design tools like Sketch and produce amazing graphic design work that you can showcase throughout your future. Apply Here

4. Channel/Product Marketing Intern, Jacuzzi

If you love spending time in a hot tub, you’ll love working for Jacuzzi, the premier manufacturer of hot tubs and other outdoor products. As a product marketing intern, you’ll be assisting with new product development and coming up with ideas for marketing materials that will be used in product promotion. Apply Here

5. Fashion Design Intern, Romeo Hunte

If you want to break into the fashion industry, this is the perfect chance to do it. As a fashion design intern for fashion designer Romeo Hunte, you’ll get a taste of every part of the fashion world from research seasonal trends to merchandise planning. You’ll also get to a hands-on feel for design by developing new prints and patterns. There will never be a boring day at Romeo Hunte, and if you are passionate enough, there may be potential to grow with the company! Apply Here

6. Marketing Intern, BuzzyBooth

Love taking selfies? Then you’ll love this internship. As a marketing intern for BuzzyBooth, a company that’s changing the way brands market themselves on social media by offering them a new way to take and share branded photos, you’ll help develop print and digital promotional materials, generate leads and maintain strong customer relationships. This a great chance to learn about the branding side of marketing and build some great skills in the process. Apply Here

7. Social Media Intern, RAW Artists

If you love music and writing, this is an opportunity you can’t let slip away. As a social media intern at RAW, an indie arts organization that showcases artists within the first 10 years of their careers, you’ll get to interview artists and write about them. With weekly training tutorials, a dog-friendly office and lots of yummy snacks, who wouldn’t want to work at RAW? Apply Here

8. Project Engineering Intern, The Walsh Group

Are you an engineering students who wants hands-on experience in the field? The Walsh Group, the 11th largest contractor in the world, is looking for a project engineering intern who will work on several areas of the business from project coordination to document control. The best part? You’ll receive competitive pay and have a huge opportunity to explore post-grad positions with the company after completing this internship! Apply Here

9. Operations Intern, Eight

When you join the operations team at Eight, a technology company focused on improving the way we sleep, you’ll get a hands-on feel for all areas of business operations. From monitoring customer relationships to inventory planning for future products, this position will give you a chance to positively contribute to the growth of a tech startup that’s poised for success. Apply Here

10. Creative Intern, Nomi Network

Have a love of social media and a strong desire to help others? At Nomi Network, a company that creates job opportunities for survivors of human trafficking, you’ll function as a creative intern and pretty much run the social media account. In this role, you’ll create engaging content and develop relationships with bloggers and journalists to help spread the company’s message. Apply Here

Ready to find the internship of your dreams? Check out our full list of internships to find the one that’s right for you.

The post Looking for the Perfect Summer Internship? These 10 Companies are Hiring Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When it comes to finding an internship, we know you don’t just want to settle; you want to find the one. No company knows how important student-internship match is more than Aramark, a leading food, facilities management, and uniforms services provider. That’s why they’ve crafted an amazing 10-12 week internship program called Step Up to Leadership to help college students get hands-on experience working in industries they’re interested in.

To give you in the inside scoop, we talked to Anthony Felix, a Communications Specialist at Aramark (and 2015 graduate of St. John’s University!) about how valuable the Step Up to Leadership (S2L) program was for him.

What drew you to working at Aramark and joining its S2L program in particular?

Anthony Felix: In school I knew I had a lot to learn outside of the classroom in order to be the man I wanted to be. Aramark’s S2L program wasn’t just a paid internship but a real learning experience. I could really see that the program wanted to teach me how to be that leader I imagined I’d be and allow me to learn from the mistakes I’d make along the way.    

What is your biggest learning from your S2L internship?

AF: The biggest thing I learned from my internship was how to navigate the workspace. Going into a new job is always a learning experience to start out, but understanding how and when to speak up is a trait that I really developed during my internship. Now, whenever I start a new role, I feel comfortable enough to find out what I need to hit the ground running.

What advice do you have for students applying to the S2L program?

AF: Come into the program with an open mind and open ears. While you’ll have real hands-on experience, you are still learning the ropes of how to be successful. Be ready to step out of the comfort zone and be challenged but really soak it all in and learn the things you need to improve on in order to be successful.

How did you know you were performing well during the S2L program? How does Aramark track and measure success in this role?

AF: I had pretty regular conversations with my manager to gauge how I was doing in addition the mid-program and end-of-program assessments. Receiving the constant and honest feedback helped me improve what I needed to in order to receive a recommendation at the end of the S2L program.

What’s something surprising about working at Aramark that most people wouldn’t know?

AF: I was surprised to see how close the Aramark family can be. When a large company has 270,000 employees around the world, you’d think everyone is a small fish in a big pond, but the successes at your account and with your team are your successes and really shine through all the way to the top. The COOs and the CEO really do notice effort and hard work.

What makes Aramark an incredible place to work?

AF: The diversity of opportunities that Aramark make it a great place to not only work, but grow. I could spend part of my career working in sports through the sports and entertainment line of business, switch to the healthcare business, and then later work at a college. There’s a unique opportunity to switch industries throughout my career, but I’ll never have to leave Aramark.

Sound like an amazing opportunity? We certainly think so! Apply to Aramark’s Step Up to Leadership positions on WayUp now!

The post What’s It Like to Be Part of a GREAT Internship Program? A Former Intern Gives You the Scoop appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What can make a great internship even better? Landing a full-time job at the same company after graduation. We love hearing about recent college grads who went from intern to employee, which is why we jumped at the chance to meet Kevin Katz.

Kevin is a 2016 Georgetown University grad who started his career at L’Oréal as a summer 2015 intern for the Garnier Skincare U.S. Marketing Team. Now, he’s working on the brand’s Digital Marketing Team. Here’s what he had to say about the experience:

How did your background and interests lead you to L’Oréal?

I was a marketing and finance double major at Georgetown. After listening to several consumer packaged goods companies talk on campus, I was interested to learn more. What set L’Oréal apart from other employers was its position as a digital disruptor and a global leader in product development. As a varsity tennis and crew athlete in college, I’ve always been passionate and competitive by nature, so L’Oréal’s fast-paced environment and commitment to excellence also caught my attention.

Describe your journey to your current role on the Garnier Digital Marketing Team.

I joined L’Oréal as a marketing intern in Garnier Skincare when the line was rebranding and relaunching. After my internship, I got an offer to return as part of the Management Development Program. The program gives you exposure to different roles, brands and categories of the business early on in your career. After completing my sales rotation in shopper marketing for brands like Maybelline, Garnier and Essie, I moved to my current role on the Garnier Digital Marketing team.

What surprised you most when you first joined?

How much L’Oréal values diversity. This isn’t limited to diversity of background and ethnicity, but also your unique voice. From a male perspective, it can be intimidating to join a company that sells products you aren’t instantly familiar with. Yet from day one, company leadership encourages you to share your opinions and makes it clear that your voice is heard.

For example, I met with the VP of my group who wanted to set up regular check-ins to make sure I can share my ideas and have the support I need.

How does L’Oréal foster an innovative and creative environment?

In just seven months, I’ve had the opportunity to work on four different brands and categories. I believe that the exposure has made me a stronger marketer. We have so many unique brands at L’Oréal, some of which compete with one another, but at the end of the day, we’re one big team. The spirit of competition and mobility fosters an environment that pushes you to think bigger.

Tell us about a favorite project that you’ve worked on.

My internship project was one of the highlights of my career so far. I worked on an advocacy plan as Garnier SkinActive was relaunched. This initiative was a testament to how cross-functional work gets done at L’Oréal. I collaborated with new teammates in PR, customer marketing, e-commerce, influencer programs and more. We also presented our project to the Senior VP of Garnier and the President of Maybelline, Garnier, and Essie.

Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?

I was a bit shy when I first joined L’Oréal. As I’ve grown here, I’ve realized that no project gets done alone and it’s important to build your network. If I knew that earlier, I would’ve been more proactive about getting to know others outside of my direct team.

Confidence is also key. Nobody will listen to what you have to say if you don’t believe in what you have to say. Own who you are, be proud of where you’re working, and try to meet as many people as you can.

Want to join a company driven by teamwork, creativity, and healthy competition? L’Oréal is hiring now, so head over to WayUp and apply.

The post We Asked this Recent Grad How He Turned His L’Oréal Internship Into a Full-Time Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Have you been searching for your dream internship, but feel like you’re not sure what employers really want from you? Internships are becoming essential to college students who want to work in their field straight out of college, because the experience that is gained in an internship is valuable and making those industry connections is vital. College experience is good, but actual work experience is even better.

There are many mistakes that you can make when applying for internships, but here are some of the most common ones (and how to avoid them).

1. Not Applying to Enough Internships

The truth is that you are not going to get every internship you apply for. To prepare for this, you need to apply for more than just the one that seems the most ideal to you. Applying for one internship is definitely the easiest thing to do, and if you get a job, that’s even better on you, but the chances of getting your dream internship on the first try is very low. Apply for a bunch of internships to raise these chances.

Another pro tip: Don’t get too picky. Sure, the “I’ll take any internship!” track isn’t the right mentality either, but don’t turn down internships that aren’t absolutely perfect or don’t meet every single one of your nice-to-haves.

2. Waiting Too Long to Apply

It’s not hard to put off a date for so long that you completely forget to apply by the application deadline. Yes, most internships require you to apply in a very short window of time, but this gives you ample time to prepare your application and write your cover letter for that company. Procrastination will not help you get that dream internship you’ve been scavenging for.

3. Not Following Up

Employers aren’t perfect; they can forget about you, just like you can forget about them. Following up with the employer after you send the application to them will ensure that they know who you are and won’t forget to take you into consideration when they are appointing their internship positions.

When should you follow up after submitting an application? Give it at least five to seven days, then send a quick three-sentence “Hey, just checking in!” email.

4. Not Sending a Cover Letter

If an employer gives you space for an optional cover letter or a place to include an attachment, write a cover letter and send it over. You have absolutely nothing to lose by doing this, but you have so much to gain. Companies want to know exactly why you are applying for certain positions. This will only help your chances and show the employer how worthy you are of the position you are applying for.

Never written a cover letter before? Check out our tips in the WayUp Guide.

5. Depending on Other People to Recommend You for a Position

We all have those friends who say they can get us an internship or job for the summer, but we also know that they can never follow through with their promises. Depending on other people is never a good idea when it comes to furthering your professional career, so don’t lean on anyone’s shoulders but your own. Get down to the nitty-gritty and do your research on different internships. Yes, it’s okay to have a friend send some emails, but don’t put all of your eggs in that one basket.

6. Not Cleaning Your Social Media

The last thing an employer needs to see is the distasteful tweets you made about the most recent election. They would much rather see your professionalism on display in all aspects, including your social media. Make sure you go through your archives and delete anything that an employer would not like to see. They check your social media–it’s not as private as you might think.

7. Not Following Application Instructions

This is important: The first impression that you’re going to give an employer is the way you followed the instructions of the application they provided. If you aren’t careful and mess up on even one part of the application, this will be a massive blow to your chances of getting the internship.

8. Only Applying to One Type of Company

Facebook and Google have enough applicants; why don’t you try applying for smaller companies? On the flip side, if all of your previous work experiences are with smaller organizations, it might be time to see how the corporate life would treat you.

Branching out not only diversifies your resume but also gives you a number of new experiences to consider as you continue to figure out what you want to do after graduation.

9. Using an Outdated Resume

Make sure that the resume you send to your dream internship contains everything that you’ve done up to the point of when you sent the application. Add everything that would be relevant, and always check your resume before you send it.

And another thing: make sure you create a custom resume for every single position you apply for! Your resume should be highlighting things that the company specifically calls out in its internship listing, and not doing this could be the factor that separates you from getting to the interview round and becoming just another app in the pile.

Get those applications out. You never know what internships you might land; just make sure you avoid these mistakes at all costs, whether you’re applying for your dream internship or your dream career.

The post 9 Common Mistakes Students Make When Applying for Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Back in the day, most college students didn’t start thinking seriously about their career and finding a job until their graduation date was in clear sight. If you apply this strategy today, you are already behind in terms of launching a career that is a good fit for you. It’s no secret that internships are a great way to start clarifying your interests, building your network and landing that job after you walk across that stage.

When is the best time for four-year college students to do one or more internships? There are no right or wrong answers to this question, but there are certain pros and cons about your choice of timing.

Freshman Year vs. Senior Year

Although your career interests and your workplace skills might not be that developed as a freshman, a freshman-year (or sophomore-year) internship can be a good place to start weeding out potential major choices and career paths. Even a part-time internship at this stage will help you develop basic workplace skills like managing time, taking initiative and communicating in a professional manner. The downside to interning early in your college career is that your career interests might be unclear. An internship you’ve committed to can feel interminable if you discover early on that you don’t enjoy this type of work. As a freshman, you also haven’t had a chance to take the upper division courses in your major that can provide you with stronger qualifications and knowledge as you head into an internship. As a result, you might get meatier projects as a junior or senior than you would as a freshman. You are also more likely to receive an offer for permanent employment with the organization, the closer you are to graduation.

Summer vs. Academic Year

Summer internships allow you more freedom, in general, since you have a wider choice of options such as interning part-time or full-time. Being able to intern full-time will give you a clearer sense of what the workplace is really like and will give you more opportunities to take on and complete intensive projects. Student-athletes typically have more availability during summer without extensive practice and travel schedules. Non-credit summer internships can provide more flexibility in terms of geographical options, if you don’t have to be on campus taking courses. More companies offer internships during the summer (in fact some only offer summer internships); however, the flip side of this benefit is that securing a summer internship can be much more competitive.

If you decide to complete an academic year internship, make sure you plan your course schedule carefully to maximize blocks of time when you can be at your internship. Interns rarely get to work on meaningful projects if they are only able to be in the organization a couple of hours here and there. Take advantage of any academic credit available for completing your internship (and if you are in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, keep in mind that you will need to be earning internship credit towards your degree in order to receive authorization to complete an off-campus internship). Use academic year internships to clarify your career direction and build your network to secure a summer internship.

Interning after Graduation

While it might feel like you are not moving on to a “real job,” completing an internship after you have your diploma in hand can be a good way to get your foot in the door with a company that is highly competitive. Many larger and fast-growing companies use internships as a recruitment tool. Post-graduation internships can also allow you to continue to fine-tune your interests without a longer-term commitment. The downside is that most internships don’t offer benefits such as health insurance, which can be a financial burden as you move towards greater financial independence.

Optimal internship timing for you will be based on a variety of factors—academic load, whether you need a paid internship and your goals and other commitments. It’s never too early to create a plan for when you will complete internships during college. If it makes sense for your situation, intern early and often.

Angela Schmiede is Dean of Academic & Professional Success at Menlo College, a small, private business college located in Silicon Valley. She has over 20 years of experience designing and leading experiential learning programs, and has taught at Vanderbilt and Stanford Universities.

The post Timing Is Everything: When to Do an Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you land your first internship in high school, as a freshman in college or just after graduation, applying to your first internship can be immensely stressful. When you have limited or absolutely no previous internship experience, it can seem like an unattainable process.

After over half a dozen internships, I have grown confident in my capabilities as an intern and as a dedicated worker. However, my confidence stems from years of mistakes, dozens of interviews and tons of trial and error. If I could switch places with Barry Allen (i.e. the Flash) and travel back in time, I would tell my freshman year self not to become defeated by the hundreds of rejection emails.

So, what can I tell you about applying to that first internship? Here’s what I wish I’d known.

1. Rejection Is Normal

It took me nearly six months and over two dozen applications before I received my first interview invitation. Don’t let a few (or a lot) of rejection emails prevent you from applying to more internships. It’s important that you don’t take this rejection personally, because that will reduce your ambition significantly.

Stay strong and learn from these rejection notifications. Sometimes hiring managers will even offer comments as to why you were not chosen for the internship position. If you continue to try and put your application material out there, companies will understand exactly why you are proud of the highlights on your resume.

2. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

Internships are an extension for you to learn outside of the classroom. Because you are still learning, it is important to understand that you will make mistakes. Likewise, it is important to know that your coworkers know you might make mistakes every so often.

Instead of trying to deny these mistakes, own them. Once you admit to your error(s), you can learn from your fellow coworkers on how you can fix it. You can gain insight even from your smallest gaffes, and from that, you will become a better professional.

3. Apply to Internships You’re Not Entirely Qualified For

While you may not get hired for an internship that you aren’t qualified for, a company could be willing to give you a chance based on your work ethic. More and more companies are realizing that skills can be taught, but strong work ethic is a quality that should be embraced.

During my sophomore year of college, I applied to an internship for juniors and seniors. I worked with one of my professors, who was familiar with the internship program, and he helped me create a strong portfolio of work and a resume for the application. After a lot of work, I was accepted into the internship program. I was and still am grateful that my professor put me through an illustration boot camp prior to the internship. Because I took a risk and applied to an internship that I was not qualified for, I was able to immerse myself into a competitive learning experience.

4. Have Someone Review Your Resume

Resumes are tricky, especially for inexperienced applicants. It is just as easy to put too much detail in your resume as it is to not include enough detail. Instead of stumbling over hundreds of edits and variations, get someone to look over your resume.

If you don’t have someone who is willing to review your resume or you are a perfectionist, change the font of your resume. At times, a font change can make grammatical errors easier to notice. Typically when you need to think more clearly, you change your physical setting. Well, alterations in your font choice can change the setting of your resume to reveal some glaring errors.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Write Cover Letters

During my first round of internship applications, I avoided any job posting that required a cover letter. I had no idea how to start a cover letter, let alone write a successful one. Even if a job application does not require you to submit a cover letter, submitting one could determine whether or not you are offered an interview. Cover letters serve as an extension to your resume, and they can help highlight specific projects and tasks you spearheaded in the past.

When dozens or even hundreds of applicants apply for the same position, a cover letter can show employers how dedicated you were to your past employers and your desire to work for their company.

And if you need help, we’ve got resources in the WayUp Guide for how to write a cover letter.

6. You Don’t Have to Accept the First Offer You Get

It is incredibly exciting to receive your first internship offer; however, you should always keep your options open. Like buyer’s remorse, internship regret exists. It is not uncommon to ask for a week or two to decide on an internship offer. Most hiring managers factor in one to two weeks into the hiring process to accommodate for this exact situation.

7. Remember to Relax a Little Bit

This might seem like unconventional advice for internship newbies, but it is vital to a successful career. It’s important to feel comfortable with your body and the way you look, and this confidence is vital to be comfortable with yourself before any interview. Although you should look like the best version of yourself on your interview day, you shouldn’t stress over one wrinkle in your dress pants or if you have one or eleven pimples.

When I was invited to my first interview, I’d just cut off all of my hair. No, I didn’t just have a cute pixie cut; I had completely shaved off all of my hair. Though I had committed to the buzzcut in order to donate my hair to a great cause, I was worried about what the hiring managers might have thought about my choice. I was tempted to buy a wig for my interview, but I instead chose against it. I went brave-faced and bald-headed into that interview, and I nailed it.

Although I felt more exposed without my luscious locks, I was able to relax and focus on my qualities and skills during the interview. I was able to persevere beyond that interview, and I continued the cycle and applied to every internship opening in the Ames area.

After all of those months of applications, I only had one interview, but it was the only one that mattered, because I was ultimately offered the internship. Although it took me several months, multiple applications and dozens of pep talks, it was ultimately my confidence and persistence that landed me my first internship. During my first internship, I grew a lot and learned a lot, which has helped me become even more intrepid in my current and future endeavors.

The post 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Applied for My First Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your semester plans are set—you’ve landed an amazing internship that will enhance your career prospects in the future. The only downside is it’s an unpaid internship. Luckily, you’ve also secured a great part-time job that will help you pay your bills. Now your only remaining dilemma is how to balance the unpaid internship, and all of the opportunities it offers in the future, with your part-time job that is paying your bills in the present. Below are five tips for balancing an unpaid internship with a part-time job:

1. Speak with your supervisors

The first step when creating balance is to ensure that everyone in your work life is on the same page. Speak with your supervisors at your part-time job and internship, and let them know about your other obligations. They will likely be understanding—your part-time supervisor will know the internship is important to your future, and your internship supervisor should understand that you still need to keep yourself financially afloat. Once they know about your other obligations, you can work with each person to make a schedule that will allow you to maximize your time at both places. Perhaps working evenings and weekends at your part-time job, and a more traditional schedule at your internship.

2. Be prepared to work hard

With dual commitments to an internship and a part-time job, it is likely that you will be working well over a normal 40-hour week. The best way to deal with this reality is to embrace the idea from the beginning, and be ready to buckle down and work tirelessly. The work will pay off in the end when you have completed your internship, opened up future possibilities, and didn’t take a heavy hit to your finances.

3. Be realistic

At the same time, make sure that you are realistic about your schedule. Planning to work more than 40 hours a week is one thing, but if you plan to work 60 or 70 hours, you’re going to be drained in no time. Know what you’re capable of and what will work for you, and set your schedule accordingly.

4. Set priorities

Even with the best time management and scheduling, it’s likely that you will have to pick a priority. What that priority is, is up to you. You have to determine how important the internship may be to your future. If you think it’s a unique opportunity that you’re unlikely to get again, don’t squander it. Place priority on it. Part-time jobs are easier to come by. You can always find another one if you aren’t able to work the one you’ve got into your schedule.

5. Think outside the box

If you do find yourself in need of another part-time job, keep in mind other jobs beyond retail and the food industry. You may be able to find a position that offers a more flexible schedule, or a one-on-one relationship with someone who is more willing to work with you. Remember to look at all possible opportunities.

It is possible to balance work and an unpaid internship—it is simply all about finding the right fit for you. Find an internship you love, so you have no problem making it a priority, as well as a flexible part-time job. Then, work with your supervisors to find a schedule that can work for everyone. Ultimately, communication is key to maintaining the balance.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

The post 5 Tips for Balancing an Unpaid Internship with a Part-Time Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Every year, expectations get higher and students are expected to do more. For example, gone are the days when all you had to do was take a few tests and write a few essays to get into college. Now schools want to see students with volunteer work, extracurricular activities, work experience, diverse hobbies, high GPAs and so much more.

And guess what? The job market is no different.

More and more people are talking–actually, obsessing–about internships, and so many people are freaked out if they:

• Had one but it wasn’t very impressive (or worse, they hated it).
• Were only accepted to an unpaid internship.
• Haven’t had one, and can’t seem to get one.
• Haven’t had one, and chose to do other work instead.

If you fall into one or more of these categories, I am here to assure you that you’re not alone.

There are plenty of reasons people don’t get internships, and there are plenty of reasons  why people haven’t had them yet, but the one thing to remember is not to freak out! Just because you haven’t had an internship yet doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get hired in the future or pursue your dream career.

Here are some key things to remember if you haven’t had an internship yet and are nervous about what that means.

1. Your Personal Experience (Whatever It May Be) Is Useful

Like a college application, most employers are looking at your resume as a whole, and they are taking into account your volunteer work, your work experience, your extracurriculars and everything else.

Hiring managers want motivated and highly engaged employees, and your resume, even if it doesn’t have an internship on it, will show that. Whether you were a club president or a club member, the class president or a member of the class, your personal experiences are unique and can bring positive change. Our experiences help us to develop useful skills, and that’s valued.

If you want more help crafting your resume to show your skills and experiences, get more information on the WayUp Guide and check out this article on ways to tweak your resume.

2. Work Experience Doesn’t Count For Nothing

Okay, maybe you haven’t had an internship, and maybe you haven’t had a job that made you commute, sit at a desk or do any of the typical requirements. Maybe, like me, you were a camp counselor, tutor, nanny, dog walker, pet sitter or something completely removed from an office experience. Guess what? That’s OK! In fact, it is more than OK; it’s great.

Employers understand that a lot of internships are unpaid, and a lot of students (like me) need that money they make over school breaks. They also understand that regardless of the experience, those skills are transferable.

For example, say you were a nanny and now you are applying to work in marketing. Perhaps you haven’t had to work on a social media campaign deadline, but you are great at being flexible and adapting to your surroundings; when a kid cries, you jump into action, you think quickly on your feet when some sort of ruckus occurs and you’ve even learned to lead. Getting kids to listen to you is a huge challenge, and if you can do that, then you can definitely get your co-workers or whichever client you are pitching to listen to your ideas.

3. Work Ethic Goes a Long Way

One thing that employers love to see is employees willing to put in the extra work and go that extra mile. Maybe it means coming in 10 minutes earlier every morning, formatting a presentation style because you found out that the company you’re pitching to uses red in its logo or working hard and grinding away at everyday tasks. 

I challenge you to take that extra step. Show your employer that you can put in that extra effort, get up a littler earlier or work a little later and notice little details that may help in the long run and perhaps prove to be essential. Hard work really does go a long way!

4. Willingness To Learn Is Essential

Don’t be afraid to be wrong. Take chances, make mistakes and ask questions. Before you go into an interview, make sure you look up the company beforehand, have questions ready for the employer and show them that you are excited to learn.

When an interviewer asks you questions about experience in areas in which you may have none, ask them where you could learn to do that skill, figure out who you could talk to, where you could take a course or even just tell them you are willing to learn.  Most managers want to see employees with ambition; they want their workers to take initiative, and with this go getter attitude, you are sure to impress an interviewer; it’ll help the team improve as a whole, so don’t shy away!

If you haven’t had that dream internship yet, don’t freak out; there’s still plenty of time to get one if you want or need one, and you already have a lot going for you!

The post 4 Things to Remember If You Haven’t Had an Internship Yet (and You’re Freaking Out) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Every year, top students from all over the U.S. compete for the highly-coveted summer analyst and associate positions at top tier investment banks. It is not uncommon for Wall Street interns to turn their 10-week long summer stint into a full-time offer from their respective firm.

Goldman Sachs’ 10-week summer internship is no different as it is the major feeder for its full-time analyst and associate programs. However, Goldman is viewed as the “top of the top,” as far as investment banks are concerned, and an internship there is considered the Holy Grail for many ambitious future bankers. It has been reported that more than 15,000 people apply for the Goldman Sachs investment banking summer internship program, and that the program has an acceptance rate of only around 2%.

So what’s the bottom line…what does it take to actually get an internship at Goldman? While there are numerous resources out there, and sometimes even an overload of information, we will provide the blueprint (an entire chapter, in fact!) to put you on the right path.

First, you need to understand the specs of the actual job:

• Salary:
  • Base salary for an investment banking analyst is about $85,000, according to Glassdoor. Interns get paid based on a pro-rated first-year analyst’s salary, which comes to over $16,000. Not bad for a 10 week haul!

• Job Description:
  • Spend 10 weeks working in the Investment Banking Division, from financial modeling to attending client meetings, in some cases, with the potential for a full-time job offer.

• Job Requirements:
  • Rising college junior or, more typically, senior. You don’t need a business or finance background but should be interested in banking. Be able to explain why you’d like to work at Goldman and to emphasize personal qualities that would help you in the role.

Next, you will need to understand the interview process:

• Application:
  • Goldman has a “rolling” application. This means they will accept applications past the deadline indicated on the website ….but the earlier you apply the better! (Dec. 4, 2016 is the deadline for all undergrads).
  • You can also apply online directly through the company website

• First Round:

• • GS has introduced the Video Interview into their process for the first round. You will need to pre-record a video of yourself answering a prompt given by the recruiting team. It is important to remember that this video will be judged as if it were a live interview, and you must conduct yourself as such.

• Final Round:

• • This will remain the traditional “Superday” where those chosen from the first round will come to the office and undergo a series of interviews. The interviews will likely last for 30 minutes each and there will be 2 people who work in ibanking full time in each one. Those selected generally get offers within a day or two of their Superdays.

Lastly, you will need to understand what to focus on:

• Study the firm: You should study the “Who We Are” section of the firm’s website and talk to current employees to get a good understanding of how the bank is organized, who the leaders are, and some of the unique aspects of Goldman culture.

• Craft your story: Make sure that you have your 60 second “elevator pitch” down cold. Be able to articulate where you have been, where you are now, and where you plan to go. You story must also incorporate why you are interested in this internship and how your skills are transferrable. (Note: It is important to convey that if given a full-time position, you have made the decision to pursue banking for the long-term).

• Learn the basics of finance: Take advantage of websites like Investopedia and the   Wall Street Journal to gain a basic understanding of finance and financial markets. Knowing the key ways to value a company, the balance sheet equation, and the relationship between bond prices and interest rates would be a good start.

• Remember, it’s a conversation!: The real way to ace an interview is to remain calm and be yourself. If you don’t know the answer to a question then ask for clarification or say that you simply don’t know (but will follow up after the interview when you have researched the answer!). The best candidates show that they are prepared but not rehearsed to the point of sounding robotic. The best hires display a temperament that shows they will work well with others, and get the job done no matter what.

Now, of course, Goldman Sachs isn’t the only place that offers high profile internship programs in banking. There are several premier firms that offer well structured programs that pay well. And these tips will put you at the front of the pack and make you a standout candidate!

Get started now on earning your spot for summer!

The post The Bottom Line: Land a Summer Analyst Internship at Goldman Sachs appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re a student or recent grad searching for that perfect job or internship, the job hunt can seem like an endless process. The good news is that for every hired student and/or recent grad, there comes an awesome piece of advice that’s gotten that person where he or she is today.

This week, we talked to three Princeton students who all landed amazing opportunities through WayUp. These three offered to chat with us to share their biggest job search tip for their peers who are still on the hunt. You’ll want to take their words of wisdom to the bank.

1. Be Open to Any Experience

“Don’t limit yourself to certain fields; there are opportunities within each. You could get a lot out of it. Before this internship, I was working for the Department of Employment; that was a pretty random company but I was able to find great PR & marketing opportunities within that environment. I was actually able to learn a ton.” – Catherine Adams, Princeton Class of 2017

Catherine’s advice is especially crucial for young job seekers: It takes a while to gain experience. If you’ve never worked before, you probably won’t land a marketing job at Google right off the bat. However, you can easily cultivate your marketing skills and gain meaningful experience at a company that you wouldn’t typically peg as being “marketing-heavy.”

This summer, using her past experience Catherine was able to find a more straightforward  marketing position as a Summer Intern for Infor. However, even Infor is not what most job seekers would consider a typical marketing company. if you’d asked her three months ago if she’d be interning for a company that is the third largest provider of enterprise applications and services, the answer would probably have been no. What Catherine did know is that she wanted to pursue marketing and was willing to explore any company with a great program.

Like most college students, Catherine didn’t magically know that she was passionate about marketing; she learned that she was interested in it by testing out different clubs and classes on campus. “Figuring out [that I was interesting in] marketing was a long journey for me didn’t happen until sophomore year by trying a bunch of things. At Princeton there is an Advertising and Marketing Club that puts on a big conference every semester. That was my first introduction to marketing,” Catherine notes. After that discovery, she pursued a top notch internship to hone in on her skills this summer.

For all of you interesting in marketing, Catherine worked on international campaigns that would be translated and shared worldwide, cultivated her messaging and writing skills, and went to several large conferences (one that even included Adam Levine – random!).  She explains that with her first real hands-on experience with marketing, she has learned that “writing in a particular tone has really helped me understand the core of marketing and branding. I’ve also learned a lot about SEO, and Google AdWords. It’s been so helpful to get some actual skills that I can put on a resume besides being proficient in Word.”

All in all, even though Catherine didn’t know what type of company she wanted to work for she was still able to get amazing experience this summer. We’re looking forward to what comes next.

2. Always Make a Personal Connection

“I’ve spent my fair share of time job searching, and I think what was really helpful for me was try to make a personal connection whenever possible. Whether you’re sending an email or making a phone call, try to establish some common ground.” – Daniel Mozley, Princeton Class of 2017

Arguably one of the most frustrating parts of the job search is sending an email or your resume into cyberspace. One of the best ways to avoid that is to make a personal connection from your first touchpoint with a company or hiring manager. A few easy ways to accomplish this:

• Figure out who the hiring manager is. Using a first name is always better than “Dear Hiring Manager…”
• Do your research. If you can find the contact’s name, look him or her up and see if you have any common interests.
• If you can’t find out the hiring manager, research the company’s most recent projects and/or achievements. Tie these back to your interests.

Daniel’s going into his senior year at Princeton and has been cultivating these authentic people skills by tutoring other students through his position at Mentr.  “When you’re a tutor, you really have to think about how you explain things and how you convey a message to others. I’ve learned how to listen carefully and figure out how to explain a concept or problem so that it makes sense so that it makes sense to someone other than you.”

During the school year, Daniel also works as a swim instructor on campus working five to 10 hours per week.As a result of these various people-facing jobs, Daniel has developed interpersonal skills allowing him to readily make those initial connections in the job process whether it be the first email interaction or the final interview.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask People for Help

“Sometimes it can be a bit intimidating and you might feel a little awkward, but a lot of times you’ll be surprised how many people want to help.” – Jake Reichel, Class of 2019

The worst thing somebody can say to you is no. But if you don’t ask, you’ll never know. Jake’s lesson is one that can take people years to learn. Talking to people is intimidating, asking questions is intimidating, and asking for help is definitely intimidating. The sooner  you get over this fear, the more productive your personal and professional lives will be.

Jake learned this lesson early on by working his way through his freshman year. He explains that when it comes to the job search, “it takes awhile to get acclimated. You need to be able to figure out how to hold up time management wise. Take it slow to get used to school before you start worrying about everything else.”

Jake was able to balance his school work, social life, and a job freshman year by taking on WayUp’s very own Campus Rep position. By approaching his peers as well as learning to report and communicate with a boss Jake learned that in order to get the result you’re looking for, sometimes you just have to do is start talking to people and ask to pick their brains.

WayUp’s CEO, Liz, is on the same page as Jake. In fact, she gives advice to everyone in the company to cold email an idol asking for help.

Some of these tips may seem a little daunting but trust us, the best way to learn is to face your fears and dive right in. In the next couple of weeks, we challenge you to follow at least one of these three tips.

Got hired using WayUp? You can be featured in an article like Catherine, Daniel, and Jake by filling out a brief survey here.

The post 3 Princeton Students Reveal Their Biggest Tips for Getting Hired appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Busy professionals often work through their breaks in an attempt to optimize their minutes in the workplace, but are they actually shortchanging themselves?

According to Right Management, the answer is yes.

Their 2012 study found that only one in five workers take a real lunch break, while two in five workers report taking their lunch break at their desk. 28% say they rarely take a lunch break at all.

When swamped with a full load at the office, employees may feel guilty or unable to walk away from their work, even for a short time. Pushing through breaks may seem like a way to increase productivity when, in reality, it can diminish efficiency and quality.

On a basic level, the body and brain require fuel for optimal performance, so remember to keep that blood sugar level stable. No one does prize work on an empty stomach.

But merely nourishing the body is not always enough. Trying to multitask between the job and eating ultimately leads to an inefficient use of both work time and break time. It’s better to stand up, step away from the screen and change up the view.

It doesn’t have to be all about food, though. Just going for a quick walk outside or even through the building helps unclog the mind and free up space for more creativity and problem solving. Just like a phone battery drains throughout the day, so does one’s physical and mental energy. A quick break to grab a snack, get the blood flowing and experience a change of scenery can be enough to recharge one’s mental state when its battery is running low.

Can’t commit to taking an hour-long lunch break everyday? Cut it down to thirty minutes or even twenty if necessary, and make that time enjoyable. Listen to music, chat with coworkers about non-work related topics, or watch a YouTube video or two. When you get back to work, you’ll be happy you did.

The post Are Lunch Breaks a Thing of the Past? Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are tricky. How do you know what industry you want to work in or what position you want all based off of a couple months at one company, and what if you have a dream job that just seems downright unattainable right now?

Luckily, President Barack Obama gave some helpful advice to the White House’s summer interns this week, and his message is universal regardless of where you’re interning: “Worry less about what you want to be and more about what you want to do.”

When it comes to figuring out what you want to do with your life, it’s easy to get stuck on titles and perks. Yes, being able to say you’re a hip fashion designer or the founder of the next big app sounds nice, but how do you know you’ll actually enjoy the work that comes with clawing your way into those roles?

Instead of focusing on your future title, think critically about the skills your current internship lets you acquire and what you actually enjoy (or straight-up loathe) about the work you’re doing. For example, if you want to go into fashion design, do you actually like sketching, sewing, dealing with vendors and spending hours toiling away at tiny details? If yes, you’re on the right track. If you’re cringing just reading this, maybe the title was drawing you more to the industry than the work itself. Time to go back to the drawing board.

But before you start looking for a job where you’ll like everything you’re doing all the time, remember that no matter what gig you end up taking, not every part of it will be glamorous or fun. Many startup founders still physically pack boxes of their product in warehouses. Programmers deal with lines of code they aren’t necessarily jazzed to write, and sales people fill out countless spreadsheets, which may not be your definition of fast-paced or exciting, but if you’re in the right role in the right industry, the interesting parts of the job will far outweigh the grunt work you inevitably have to do.

Going back to President Obama’s advice, what does this mean for you now? No matter what internship you’re completing, think about what you do and don’t like about your gig. Could you see yourself doing this work full-time and really liking it? If not, what are parts of the internship you do like, and are their other industries or roles better suited to those skills?

Internships are an awesome way to learn more about yourself. Don’t ignore those signs.

The post Want to Be a Stellar Intern? Steal This Simple Tip from President Obama appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s the ultimate dream for most Millennials: working from home, but is it for you?

When I tell people that I’ve spent the last year and a half working remotely, most get jealous. They imagine me calling into conference calls in my pajamas and pulling out my laptop in beachside internet cafes.

While both of those things can definitely be a part of the remote work experience, it’s probably not as glamorous as you imagine it to be. Before you accept a remote job or internship, definitely keep in mind a few of these important considerations:

1. You will have to provide your own office space

For most of us, this means the IKEA desk in the corner of the room or the bed on those lazy Monday mornings. It also means having your own office supplies, chairs and (perhaps most importantly) snacks, so if you’re the type that enjoys fully-stocked kitchens, ping pong tables, ergonomic chairs and adjustable-height desks, get ready to be disappointed by your own financial limitations.

2. You may have to provide your own technology

Depending on the financial limitations of the company you work for, you may be expected to provide your own technology, and keep in mind that this can go beyond a personal laptop to include anything else you use to do your work, including high-speed internet, a cell phone and a printer or scanner.

3. Working from home can get real old, real fast

When you live and work in the same place, it’s really easy to hate being home. Everything you dislike about the place you live (your noisy neighbors, the creaky floors, that weird smell you haven’t been able to track…) follows you to work, and everything you dislike about your job follows you home. Unless you have a sprawling house or absolutely love your room, you will probably get tired of working from home pretty quick.

4. The alternatives to working from home are limited and expensive

With more and more companies allowing their employees to work remotely, there are more options than ever for getting work done outside the traditional office. Coworking spaces like WeWork are a great alternative to working from home, but memberships can be expensive for intern and entry-level employees. Coffee shops can also be a nice change of scenery for remote workers, but buying a $6 latte every two hours isn’t much better for your wallet (or your waistline).

5. Conference calls are even more unbearable when you have to call in

Meetings are bad enough as it is, but have you ever tried calling into one? “Hello? Can you hear me? Wait. I just missed everything you guys said; can you repeat the last 10 minutes?” You will miss important details, feel left out of funny moments and likely misunderstand your colleagues due to a lack of full context.

6. Staying motivated and productive can be a challenge

Without the buzz of an active office or the over-the-shoulder glances from your manager, you might find it difficult to stay on task all day. It certainly doesn’t help that your bed is right there, and it just looks so warm! Maybe a 10 minute nap wouldn’t hurt… It also doesn’t help that no one will know when you’ve got Facebook or Netflix open on another tab. It’s a slippery slope to say the least.

7. Maintaining work-life balance can also be a challenge

What happens when your dog starts begging for a walk or you get a call from Grandma? You can tell them you’re working, but they know you’re at home. They know you can pick up the phone or run around the block a few times. What happens when you don’t have plans Tuesday night and have an important project to finish by Wednesday? Working remotely is great for people who need a flexible schedule to accommodate pets and kids and other “adulting” things, but where do you draw the line between work and life? What do you write on your timesheet when you worked all day but took like 15 breaks?

8. You will miss out on opportunities for learning, mentorship and bonding

Working with other people in a shared space comes with a whole host of benefits. You can learn from your peers and your superiors, share ideas and opinions, gain feedback on your work, express grievances, ask for help and make lifelong friends. Companies with remote teams often host retreats and team bonding activities, but it can be hard to feel like part of a shared culture when you only see your coworkers a few times a year.

9. Traveling while working remotely is not as easy as it sounds

There’s a lot of buzz right now about working remotely while traveling the world, but try to keep in mind the many challenges that accompany this route. First, you need to find a job that allows you to work remotely, possibly in different time zones as you travel. You also need to find places to stay everywhere you travel, which can be very expensive. You will also likely need access to high-speed internet wherever you go, and if working 40 hours at home leaves you exhausted by the weekend, think how tired you’ll feel doing a full week of work in a different country. Working remotely can be a great way to see the world without spending your life savings, but it might not be as glamorous or as easy as you imagine.

10. It’s not for everyone

Don’t get me wrong, working remotely can be a really great option. It has allowed me to spend more time with my friends and family, save time and money by not having to commute everyday and work in pajamas on the days I don’t want to get out of bed, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re someone who needs structure and routine, who appreciates perks and office freebies and who needs to be around others to stay motivated and feel like part of the team, a remote job might not be a good fit for you. The important thing is to choose a job that makes you happy, challenges you professionally and leaves you fulfilled at the end of the day.

The post 10 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Remote Job or Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you think you missed the chance to land a job this summer, think again! From part-time jobs to internships, there are still plenty of opportunities to get hired and make some extra cash over the next few months.

Here are some great jobs you can apply to right now!

Dog Sitter, Rover

Love dogs? Join the largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers in the country and get paid to hang out with puppies. Because you set your rates and work as much or as little as you like, this is a great opportunity to build a successful dog-sitting business and be your own boss. Apply here.

Home Design Consultant, Owl Remodeling

Dreaming of a career in sales? This is your chance to work for a great company that provides products and services consumers use every day. Best of all, paid training is included. Apply here.

Barista, Starbucks

From free Frappuccinos to having your full college tuition paid, there are plenty of great benefits to working at Starbucks. Best of all, previous work experience is not required and benefits are available to all employees who work at least 20 hours a week. Apply here.

Campus Ambassador, Maven

Maven Clinic is a one-stop resource for women’s health that allows women to easily set up video appointments with doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists anytime. As an ambassador, you’ll represent Maven on campus and spread awareness for the services they provide. Apply here.

Babysitter, Sitter

Earn up to $15 an hour while getting hands-on experience growing the Sitter brand. Responsibilities usually vary by your age and experience as a sitter, how often you babysit for a family and the needs of the children. Apply here.

For even more opportunities, check out the rest of our listings

The post It’s Not Too Late to Get Hired This Summer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Now that spring semester is over and summer is underway, you’ve probably been weighing out your summer job options and considering how internships fit into your plan. If you’re choosing between a paid internship and unpaid internship, the decision may seem like a no-brainer, but there are several factors you should keep in mind.

Here are some questions to ask before making your decision.

What do you need to get out of the internship?

If you really need a summer job that pays, your focus should be on either a paid internship or a non-internship opportunity, but if you have the resources to support yourself or are able to get another job in addition to your internship, an unpaid internship may offer some perks that a paid one doesn’t. For example, many small companies don’t have the budgets to pay interns, but sometimes they can offer a lot more hands-on experience than larger companies. The key is to find out what opportunities the company is able to provide and to make the most of them. From weekly meetings with the leadership team to one-on-one mentoring with a senior manager, employers are happy to have enthusiastic interns and will likely work with you to help you make the most of your experience.

What type of internship will be most helpful to your career path?

If you’re nearing the end of your time in college, chances are you’ve already had an internship (or two) and you’re probably ready to take the next step towards your post-college career: a paid position. On the other hand, if you’re a freshman or sophomore and are looking to gain experience in a specific field, you may consider unpaid internships that give you the chance to develop certain skills and build your resume. The good news: You’re more likely to land a paid internship with an unpaid internship under your belt!

Is there a possible future with the company?

One of the best things about internships (both paid and unpaid) is that they can lead to a full-time job with a company. In fact, the promise of landing a full-time job is one of the main reasons why students consider unpaid internships in the first place. The best way to find out if the company you’re considering interning with has a history of hiring interns is to ask directly, and if they have a history of hiring interns, they’ll probably mention it upfront!

Choosing an internship is one of the most important decisions you can make during your time in college, and having as much information as possible will help you pick the right one. The key is to know what you want and work with potential employers to find the best fit.

And when you’re ready to explore your options, check out our available internships to find the perfect one for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Tackle the First Month of Your Internship, and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do You Want to Work Here?.

The post Paid vs. Unpaid Internships: How to Decide appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You have just graduated and are looking to start an internship to gain more experience in your field of choice. You are bright, motivated, and eager to make a good impression. You are also a new parent.

A previous article discussed the importance of balancing your work and life. As any parent of a newborn baby can tell you, though, newborn babies tip that scale in their favor and with good reason. They require that attention to survive in an environment that is new to them.

The Question is: How does a new parent juggle the demands of their new child with the demands of a new internship?

While it may not be apparent at first, there is common ground between what you and your newborn baby are experiencing. Both of you are experiencing environments that are different than what you are used to. The anxiety and stress over new situations and environments can be overwhelming.

In such a situation, one thing you can do to relieve some of that pressure is to build and use your social support network. A social support network can include friends, family and even coworkers. In fact, being around supportive and caring coworkers can increase your satisfaction at work. Talking to supportive coworkers during your break or at lunch can help you reduce the anxiety and stress that you are experiencing from taking care of a newborn.

Having supportive friends and family can also help you cope with your anxiety and stress. Reaching out to your friends and family for help when you are feeling overwhelmed for help with daycare, advice and comfort can help ease some of that burden and enable you to recharge so that you can give your full attention to your baby and career. Having an unpaid internship can also place new parents in a unique situation because interns whom are also new parents have more expenses without the income to cover them.

Having a supportive spouse, partner and even parent can ease some of the financial challenges of having an unpaid internship and a newborn baby. Additionally, if you are living in the United States, there are resources that you can find from your local government. Programs such as California CalWORKs and Florida Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are examples of resources that you can use for support.

Both you and your newborn are experiencing new environments. It is important to note that you can visit your medical doctor if either you or your baby has difficulty coping with your new lives together. Remember to keep your doctor appointments, to take the time to rest and to enlist the help of your social support network. Most importantly, remember to take a step back, and enjoy the time that you have with your newborn.

The post Life As an Intern and New Parent: You Are Not Alone appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Interested in exploring a career in Finance? We sat down with Kyle Higgins, a recent grad who joined Deutsche Bank, to learn all about how he landed the internship and what he got to do over the summer. Check it out!

Q: What was school like for you, and where did you expect to go career-wise?

Kyle:  I graduated from the University at Albany (SUNY) in the Financial Analyst Program.  There were roughly 20 others in my year, and all of them are now working in Finance. It was definitely a competitive program, with many students completing extracurriculars and internships in addition to full class-loads. One program that I was involved in was an asset management group, where we managed money from the school’s endowment fund. This gave me some fantastic experience that helped my resume in a big way. The overall culture of the program was very pre-professional—needless to say, we wore suits to class more often than sweatpants.

Q: How did you find out about Deutsche Bank? What other areas/companies were you interested in at the time?

Kyle: I had previously heard of Deutsche Bank but didn’t have any direct contact with the firm since none of my classmates in the Program had been hired there.  While at a networking event, a few alumni talked about their jobs at Deutsche Bank and they told us about the internship and Graduate Program.  The presentation they gave is what ultimately got me interested, and why I submitted my resume. I also applied to a few other banks, but to this day, I’m really glad I went to that Deutsche presentation.

Q: What did you expect going into the Deutsche Bank internship program?

Kyle: The presentation on campus gave me a strong impression of the caliber and type of people at Deutsche Bank and this was only strengthened as I completed phone screenings and final round interviews. My expectation was to participate in real-world scenarios while collaborating with other interns throughout the 10 week program.  Our group project ended up centering on two separate cases involving Russia and Argentina.  At the end of the summer, we presented our analysis to several senior managers in Risk, and our analysis actually helped them make important decisions in those markets.

Q: What was your first week like in the internship?

Kyle: The first week at Deutsche Bank was a combination of offsite intern training and introductions to your specific team, which for me was CRM Securitization.  The training helped teach us things to consider when working on the job, emphasizing practical knowledge like financial statement analysis.  My first day on the Securitization team made me realize how much interns were treated like full-time employees.  Although we were new to the role, real work was assigned to us with deadlines and expectations.  I remember how on the first day, my mentor gave me a live deal to read through.  Although he knew most of the information would take a while to digest, I appreciated  that on day one he treated me like a peer, giving me real insight into what he was working on.

From the moment I joined the Bank, I was impressed with the diversity of views and perspectives – not only in my intern class, but in the full-time staff as well.  Within Risk, there were several colleagues with diverse nationalities including Chinese, German and French, and everyone seemed to bring unique perspectives to the table. Something really valuable I learned on the team was that the combination of several cultures and backgrounds bring out the best quality of work.

Q: What are a few things that surprised you about Deutsche Bank?

Kyle: As I mentioned earlier, I was surprised by the level of diversity of backgrounds and cultures on the team.  The depth of knowledge my colleagues were able to draw upon, from previous positions they held both internally and externally was truly incredible.  As an example, one of my colleagues had previously worked for the rating agencies which ultimately gave him better insight into their methodology and approach. Finally, I didn’t realize how many locations and countries Deutsche Bank operated in globally; when I had the opportunity to go abroad with the Bank, I really felt like I was a part of this vast global team.

Q: I heard the Deutsche Bank Risk program offers graduates the opportunity to complete an international rotation. Where did you complete yours? How do you feel this enhanced your experience with the Bank?

Kyle: My international rotation was in Dusseldorf, Germany for nine weeks.  I worked with the Global Credit Rating team (GCRT) and completed several ratings during my stay.  This experience helped me understand the work that the team completes on a daily basis, as well as how the end results flow into the CRM function.

The experience was extremely helpful in improving my skills when evaluating companies that are corporate as well as financial-based.  Being able to “deep dive” into financial statements and assess the health of a counter party is crucial to several roles in finance.

On a more personal note, it was a pleasure to expand my network and meet those who work in the Dusseldorf office.  Within that location, 22 languages are spoken and the nationalities include Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, and Venezuelan, to name a few.  The team welcomed me into their daily life and made me feel at home six time zones away from New York. It was awesome.

Q: What has the experience taught you about yourself?

Kyle: The experience has taught me that I can learn something new in a completely foreign environment.  No matter where I go or what I do in my career, it is reassuring to know that I can thrive in a challenging environment.  It has also improved my ability to collaborate with colleagues from very different backgrounds.  If I could succeed in an office in Dusseldorf, Germany, where people spoke 22 different languages, I could get by anywhere.

Q: What are you excited about for the future?

Kyle: The grad rotation has afforded me the opportunity to see many areas of the Bank, both domestically and internationally.  By the end of this Risk program, I will have worked with CRM Securitization, CRM Leveraged Finance, Global Credit Rating Team and CRM Hedge Funds.  I have developed so many valuable connections and expanded my network farther than I ever anticipated.  I am excited to bring all my experiences and general knowledge of risk to whichever team I am fully placed with. I’m also looking forward to finally moving into the city!

Interested in a career at Deutsche Bank? Head over to their company page on WayUp for more information!

The post My Summer Internship at Deutsche Bank appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a senior at UC Davis about ready to graduate, I decided to stay another year to pursue the entertainment industry and was lucky enough to land three studio internships. In my super senior year, I got to intern at Warner Bros. Records in the International Marketing department, Nickelodeon Animation Studios in the Vault department, and DreamWorks Animation Studios on the movie, Penguins of Madagascar. I also had the opportunity to interview with many other companies, such as Pixar and Live Nation, but unfortunately the timing was a bit off.

From applying, interviewing and participating in these internship programs, I’ve collected some tips and insight which might prove helpful in bettering your chances when applying to entertainment internships. Absorb what is useful for you and ignore what is not. Keep in mind, there’s always more than one path to get where you’re going.

Be An Off-Season Intern

Most students apply for internships during the summer, which makes these programs very competitive, especially for the highly sought out studios. If you want to better your chances, apply during the off-seasons (Fall/Spring semester) and take some classes at your university during the summer instead.

All of my internships were either during Fall or Spring semester. I remember I applied to Warner Bros. Records for the Summer program and did not hear back from them. I then re-applied for the Fall program without changing a thing on my resume, and I received three interviews all in various departments.

Read about a Nicktern’s  experience  interning for The Fairly Odd Parents here

Be Willing to Relocate

If you want to break into the industry and are not fortunate enough to live in the Los Angeles area, you have to be willing to relocate. Being a student at UC Davis in NorCal, I knew my options for the entertainment industry were very limited and that I was probably going to end up in SoCal. If you want something bad enough, you have to be willing to sacrifice some things. During my internship with Nickelodeon, I had fellow interns who came all the way from Illinois and New York for the unpaid internship (Nickelodeon is now a paid internship).

I know this is not easy and can take a cut in your savings, but there are some ways to keep your cost low. For example, you can find yourself a sublet for your current apartment and use that money to rent a spot in Los Angeles.

Be Professional

Even though it’s the entertainment industry and everyone is wearing shorts and flip flops, you should still dress to impress. Not only does this apply when interviewing for the internship but also while you’re interning at the studio. These internships are the longest job interview you’ll ever have, and by dressing sharp, you’ll stand out and will be remembered.

During my internship at Nickelodeon, an executive saw me dressed up in slacks, a button up and a tie and complimented my attire. Definitely not a bad person to impress.

Find Out How To Get An Animation Internship For College Students

Join a Club or Organization

If you are hesitant to apply because you believe you don’t have enough or any experience in the entertainment industry, join a club or organization at your school. I really wanted to break into the music industry and had no experience in that field whatsoever, so I volunteered for my college radio and put that on my resume, which showed I was doing something music related.

Once you have a major studio on your resume, no matter the industry it is, it will open more doors and help you land internships at other major studios.

Helpful Resources

Want to get into the entertainment industry, but have no idea where to start? Be sure to subscribe to my blog, The Storyboard Room where I’ll be posting a behind the scenes look from the people who work in the industry. You can also watch “The Outsiders,” my cartoon short with Nickelodeon Animation Studio here.

The post How I Interned With Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, & Warner Bros. In 1 Year appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Cooperative education programs (or co-op programs) offer a number of advantages. They provide students with extensive work experience that allows them to spend significant time with one or more companies, and to make important contributions to those companies. Even better, students are compensated for the work they do. But once you decide that co-op education is right for you, how do you determine which particular program to pursue? To start, look for these three attributes:

Relevant experience

One of the most important benefits of a co-op program is the work experience that it provides you with, which can help you start your career a step ahead of the competition. However, it is crucial to ensure that this work experience is relevant. Do not choose any co-op program that seems interesting—instead, verify that it is tailored to the career path that interests you. If you are unsure, ask the program questions to learn more about what you will be doing and how it will aid your future career.

Competitive benefits

A co-op program is certainly an educational program, but in some ways, it is like any other job with pay and benefits. Evaluate a number of co-op programs to compare the benefits they offer. Is the pay competitive? Does the program offer other types of assistance, like subsidized housing or relocation support? While you should be certain that the co-op program will boost your future career, it is also important to choose a program that works well for you now. For instance, if you cannot afford to move to Hawaii without relocation assistance, then a co-op program in this area may not be ideal for you.  

Future opportunities

If you are hoping that a co-op program will help your career blossom, one of the best ways that it can do so is by leading to a full-time job at the same organization after graduation. When you are considering various programs, ask if they often place students in full-time jobs with their host companies. You can (and should) also conduct research to learn more about each company. Even before you start a co-op program, it can be helpful to see if the organization you are looking into is the type of place where you would want to work. Look for reviews from employees and co-op program graduates. If a company has a strong reputation, that may also mean great networking opportunities, which can come in handy if you do not end up working there permanently.

Perhaps the best way to choose a co-op program is to ask for advice. You can speak with others in your degree program who have already completed a co-op education program, thus gathering first-hand feedback on what they liked and did not enjoy about the program. You can also ask your advisor for guidance on which co-op programs to investigate further. Your advisor should have a wealth of information about various programs (or know who does), and he or she should be able to point you to several that might best suit your needs.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

The post What to Look for in Co-op Education Programs appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

1. Expect the Unexpected

Near the end of 2014, I was home on break and campus life seemed as distant mentally as it was physically. In fact, that was my goal, as I was in the midst of numerous transitions in my career – from adjusting to a new position as a Director of Special Events for the Illini Union Board to joining the planning committee for the 2016 Institute of Industrial Engineers Regional Conference. Further, I was intending to spend the summer productively on campus, so it was likely I wouldn’t be seeing my family for a year. One evening, I booted my laptop to email my advisor about a course I was interested in and found an unexpected message in my inbox.

2. Choose Based on Position, Not on Paycheck

A brief email with a PDF attachment that turned out to be an offer letter for a Continuous Improvement Engineer Intern position, an assignment which exemplifies the values I held close as an Industrial Engineer. To put it concisely, it didn’t take long to set aside my other offer and commit to this one.

Fast forward a break and a semester; my roommate sipped on coffee as I munched on a chocolate-chip muffin, wearing new hard-toe boots, unsure what to expect from my first day at G&W Electric Company. My brain was struggling to process mixed advice while wishfully mapping an ideal internship experience. My phone buzzed – our Uber was here. It didn’t take long to slide through suburban traffic, and before I knew it I was sitting in the Westinghouse training room, combining forces with 24 other interns to stare down the front wall. Punctually, the HR team entered, encouraging us to help ourselves to the breakfast that was waiting at the back of the room as they walked us through the day’s training schedule, signaling the official start of my internship.

3. Maximize and Track

It wasn’t long before I felt like a part of the organization, and the accompanying routine felt like a part of me. My supervisor and department had been pushing me to my capabilities ever since I completed my initial summer project – scheduled to last 3 months – in just under 2 days. Although it was a seemingly simple area layout, the sheer detail involved in developing a realistic proposal forced me to realize that I had only scratched the surface of being an Industrial Engineer, a true case of the more I knew, the less I knew. Before long, I had worked with the Director of Continuous Improvement on field action kits, updated assembly procedures and been assigned to pioneer an exhaustive full-plant layout with no sign of slowing. I was placed on increasingly more experienced teams with different departments on a wide variety of projects.

As the tasks accumulated, my supervisor passed a seemingly impervious piece of advice – to make a list of my projects this summer – without which I may not have been able to write this today. This is about when my largest project of the summer hit – a material handling investigation to efficiently locate and kit frame parts during the assembly process. As my teammates and I promptly discovered through considerable data analysis, the problem was larger than even our supervisors knew, with annual losses touching 6 digits. The project took a turn, and we diligently began hunting for solutions from various suppliers and conferences, availing in a final proposed solution with an almost irrefutable 2 month return on investment! Needless to say, the executives loved our report, and this project lives on my résumé till date.

However, the summer was far from over as my supervisor wished me to take his spot in a Weld booth Kaizen event in an effort to practice the ever beloved 5S+1 (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, Safety) toolkit. After almost a week of painting, fabricating and retrofitting with the Manufacturing Engineering and Welding departments, our first ever world-class welding booth was a sight to behold. As you may agree from the above photo, it wasn’t a surprise that the company supported a 1 month rollout schedule for the rest of the facility.

Less than 2 weeks from now, I would be on a bus to my new room in Urbana, I thought, as update emails from my campus Program Director rolled in. I was set to tie up loose ends from the Summer Intern Newsletter to my final project. This was possibly my most exciting project, as I was to operate independently to facilitate the reorganization and remodeling of a work cell in order to accommodate more efficient parts flow and an all-new, fully-automated glue dispensing robot! I was required to independently cooperate with multiple departments and suppliers while consistently carrying out supporting tasks – including personnel supervision and equipment installation. In my mind, this was the ideal culmination of my experience, along with a testament to the knowledge and faith I had earned in the past

4. Maintain Connections

I contemplated the end of my summer at G&W as I looked down at my chocolate-chip muffin. I was sitting in an almost identical spot a few months ago, but understood this muffin much better now. It fascinated me that even a muffin would go through a multifaceted manufacturing process saturated with engineers, simply to be consumed with maximum satisfaction. Further, I realized how much I had been processed over the past summer, in my passion and voracity for Industrial Engineering. I mulled over not recognizing myself when I graduate or how the campus life I was returning to would overhaul my system of living.

Nonetheless, I knew I would stay in touch for updates on my projects’ sustenance and that I was connected to a fair number of G&W Employees through LinkedIn; isn’t that a victory in itself?

5. Take Photos!

Yes, it’s that part of the post, where a misty-eyed writer urges you to cherish each moment and gather multiple memory cards worth of selfies, but remember, memories can be the best way to network and reconnect with old peers after life takes you down different paths. Alternatively, they might come in handy if you find yourself writing an internship blog!

The post How to Seize Unexpected Opportunities and Make the Most of Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Over the summer, I interned at Studio Pura, a photography studio in West Hartford, CT. The entire internship experience was very hands-on and allowed me to greatly improve my own photography skills and editing skills within the Photoshop software. I was also required to assist with photo shoots and attend client and business meetings. Since Studio Pura is a small photography studio, the owner is the sole photographer and I was the only intern and person working for her. The small size of the company is partly why I was given so much responsibility with my workload for my supervisor.

While at school, my major is English Creative Writing, and I study Photography as my minor. When I started at Studio Pura for the summer, I thought my skills with photography would really be the only area of study that would lend help to my internship experience. My supervisor, however, needed help with her blog, so I was basically able to take over writing the blog for her. I was so happy that both my major and minor were put to use with this internship.

One of the best experiences happened right at the end of the internship when I assisted my supervisor with a wedding in the middle of August. During all of the other photo shoots that I had assisted on, my job had mainly been to hold reflectors and move props around. However, at the beginning of this specific wedding, my supervisor handed me her other camera and asked me if I wanted to shoot as her second photographer. I was so happy and pleased that my supervisor trusted me enough to shoot a wedding with her. This was the perfect end to my internship experience with Studio Pura.

I go to Endicott College, where, as an undergraduate student, we are required to complete multiple internships throughout our four years of study. Although finding internships seems scary and confusing, it is not so difficult or daunting. If you have an idea of what you want to do and know where you want to be or might want to be, it’s easy to just type, “photography studios in Boston” into Google or an internship searching site, for example. It’s also helpful to use any relationship that you have—whether it be a parent, teacher, boss or friend’s relative—to help you get a foot into a potential internship site. Once you have a list of a few places that you want to intern, it’s important to write a cover letter and perfect your résumé and then email both along to the company. For me, when I applied to Studio Pura, I didn’t even know if the studio accepted interns, and although I was the first, all it takes is one email to find out! 

The post How Taking Multiple Internships Helped My Launch My Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Being from a smaller town outside of Minneapolis, I always knew I wanted to see more. When I began studying film at the University of Minnesota, my attention was quickly drawn to the bright lights of Los Angeles. I took a trip down to the golden coast and knew it was where I wanted to be. Upon my return, I began scouring the internet for a possible internship that would land me smack dab in the middle of Hollywood.

Fast forward a few months, three terrifying phone and Skype interviews, countless dollars flying out of my bank account and I am in Los Angeles! I am settled into my apartment and have begun exploring the city.

As my internship was about to begin, these were a few of the things I wish people would have told me about the entire experience:

1. No Job Is Too Small

On my very first day, I thought I would be helping out on some big film set or sharing stories with the stars. No. I was putting together an Ikea desk and organizing banker boxes, but did I complain or make it seem like I was not interested? Absolutely not. I was as eager as ever, and you bet I put together the best desk that city had ever seen. Once your supervisor trusts you more, your jobs will get bigger and bigger! (mine definitely did!)

2. Make Friends/Connections

This is crucial. Although I did not befriend that many other interns, I did make friends with both of my supervisors and the CEO of the company. Be friendly, work hard and stay professional.

3. Ask Questions

Kind of obvious? Maybe, but you would be surprised by how many of the other interns were too scared to speak because they were “just interns.” Make an impression! Of course, you do not want to cross any boundaries, but it will only help you to ask about the company, your tasks, what you can do better, etc. These things will make you seem eager and ready!

4. Help Out Wherever Possible

I am the strongest believer in internships. My internship taught me more than my four years at college (sorry mom and dad..) ever did. This is because I gave that summer my entire heart and soul. Any extra job that needed people – in my case, this was usually production assistants – I would take. I worked almost every single shoot that the company had. I was even sent out on my own to do interviews for a large company event with high profile film stars. I was able to prove that I was serious and that I knew what I was doing by helping out whenever I could.

5. Take The City Where You Are Interning Into Consideration

Although this is not about the job itself, it is very important. I ended up being in Los Angeles, thinking it was the most perfect place for me. After my summer as an intern, I realized that even though I loved where I was working, Los Angeles was not for me. I would not have known this without my internship. It gave me a chance to work and live in LA without any strings attached. LA does look good on a resume in the film world, though! Internships are the best way to get a taste of what life will be like after graduation. It gives you a foot in the door at a company, new skills and a brighter outlook on life. Make sure you are taking it seriously, working your hardest and jumping on every opportunity!

The post What I Learned Moving to LA for an Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I interned at iHeart Media radio station with KJR 950 sports talk radio. All in all, I will take away some Adobe Audition skills, which is a software I really like working with. In general, I think the internship was great! I made podcasts filling in descriptions & pictures and made audio cuts from Seahawks and Mariners players, guests & hosts that were used on the air, which was super fun. I will take away from this experience a foot in the door in the audio industry, meeting some good people, more audio skills, podcasting ability and some sports knowledge that I never had before. I hope the contacts I have made will stay friends or at least be good references in my network. It is still weird not to be going there Monday-Friday anymore, and I was sad when it ended.

Advice I would have for those wanting to land and succeed at an in internship:

1. Keep on it. E-mail multiple times if you have to. Be persistent without being a pest. Don’t give up until you get a yes.
2. Be on time, even be early if possible. I think it is super important because time is precious, and people don’t want their time wasted. Showing you can follow a schedule proves you care about what you are doing.
3. Listen, especially when you are getting instructions or orders. When you pay attention and do things right the first time, it shows you are competent and want to impress your higher-ups. Plus, people don’t often like to repeat themselves.
4. Ask questions. If you don’t know something or can’t remember, it’s better to ask someone than to miss the mark.
5. Be friendly. Show your personality, and try to bond with people and find things that you have in common with them. They with be happier if you are likable.
6. Put in the work. When someone asks you to do something, do it to the best of your ability, and if that person wants you to stay late to work on an extra project or activity, do it with enthusiasm. The effort will be appreciated.

The post Internship Advice I learned Working for Sports Radio appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a first year forensic psychology graduate student, I had made up my mind to intern at my state’s only maximum security prison for female inmates.  I learned early on in life that squeaky wheels usually get greased, so with my own personal mantra in hand, I sought my internship by communicating directly with the prison warden herself.  After several carefully timed emails, I received a response from the prison’s chaplain asking if I could meet with her the following day at 10 am in her office at the prison.

Being familiar with prison protocol was in my favor.  Those weekly twelve-step meetings gave me an upper hand on what I could and could not wear, as well as what I could bring inside with me.  Although I had never been incarcerated myself, I had something much more valuable in common with the female inmates.  I was there to give them hope, if not all of them a little bit of hope, then at least one of them a lot of hope.  Hope came in real form:  me!  With my physical scars and a story for each one, I shared how my former life as a heroin addict had its one and only purpose, in my eyes, and that was to show other alcohol and drug-addicted women that they do not have to live that way any more.

My desire to intern at this prison, I told the Chaplain, was to carry a message of hope two days a week in four group sessions.  I started the following week.  My hopes were high to help many, but reality proved otherwise.  My groups dwindled and participation lessened; however, I do know I helped change one inmate’s life.  I rallied on her behalf to the Department of Social Services as well as her attorney for this particular inmate’s fight to keep her parental rights of her 3-year old son.  She won.  It was simple to me: An inmate working hard to rehabilitate herself—which she was—does not need to lose her rights as a mother…leave those cases up to those inmates who have no desire to get better, and believe me, I encountered many of those during my internship.

At the end of my internship, I was exhausted mentally and emotionally.  My dreams of carrying hope almost turned me into a cynic.  It is sad but true. However, what I gained from this internship is perhaps my most important life lesson learned to this date—approach everything you seek with an open mind and let go of any expectations.

The post Hard Lessons Learned From My Internship Behind Bars appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships have become a crucial component of the college experience and early career-building endeavors, and the first step toward a fulfilling career is often to impress your internship supervisor. But how, exactly, can you do so? Here are five ways to catch his or her attention:

1. Go above and beyond

It need not be said that unless your supervisor asks you to perform a task that is dangerous or illegal, you should do it, and do it well. But if you truly wish to impress your supervisor, aim to do more than asked. Contribute to the company in a way that highlights your skills—perhaps you are a talented writer, so you decide to take on tasks that showcase your writing abilities. Perhaps you have a content marketing idea that you feel strongly about. Share it at the next meeting that you attend, or with your supervisor directly. In short, do whatever you can to exhibit your talents and ideas.

2. Look and act the part

Professionalism is essential in every industry. If you would like your supervisor to take you seriously, dress appropriately for the environment you are in—whether that means business formal or a provided uniform. Acting professionally is also important. This means interacting with others politely and monitoring your social media pages, among other actions. Yes, your supervisor may look at your Facebook page, so ensure there is nothing on it that you would not want him or her to see.

3. Ask for advice

Few people know your supervisor better than the individuals who work with or for him or her. Do not be afraid to ask company employees appropriate questions about your supervisor—for instance, what he or she looks for in submitted work, and what may impress him or her the most. It can also help to directly ask your supervisor for advice about your internship and future career. This will show that you value his or her opinion and are serious about this opportunity.

4. Show an interest

It is likewise important to indicate that you have an interest in the company itself. Ask your supervisor and coworkers questions about the company to show that you are genuinely interested in the business. Stay engaged the entire time that you are present, and if you do not have a task to work on, find one. Finally, attend company events, even if they are not required.

5. Stay in touch

Impressing your supervisor does not end when your internship ends. Your internship supervisor can be an important contact in your burgeoning career, so it is important to remain in touch. Start with a handwritten thank you note after your internship ends, and follow up with an email. Send emails periodically, or consider meeting your former supervisor for lunch or coffee.

The most important advice to keep in mind is to showcase the best features of yourself. Show your supervisor that you are talented, professional, and committed to your internship and industry, and he or she is sure to be impressed.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

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Highlighting her experiences as an intern, Shelcy Joseph offers some great advice on the best practices to implement during your internship. Shelcy is a student at Hunter College and a marketing intern at Hearst Publications. Shelcy shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?

I had a few detours before I decided to pursue psychology. I began college with a plan to major in chemistry and continue on to pharmacy school or perhaps pursue a career in physical therapy. I quickly realized these were not the right career paths for me and started to explore other options, which led me to psychology. I was always interested in understanding human behavior, and I could see that psychology has real-world applications. Pursuing my degree, I discovered my interest in the field of communications and started acquiring experience in social media, marketing and public relations through internships. My internships led me to the path I’m on now. I feel constantly challenged and it feeds my love of learning.

Where did you develop your love of learning?

My parents always instilled in me an attitude of keeping an open-mind, finding the positive in situations and learning not just in school, but in all you do throughout your entire life. These lessons were particularly valuable after the earthquake in Haiti. I had always planned to go to college in the U.S., but the earthquake destroyed the school system and we moved to New York where I completed the last two years of high school. I know I can overcome anything by turning negative experiences into positive lessons and facing challenges head-on.

What experience prepared you to start your internship?

I’ve had two internships prior to interning in the public relations department at Hearst Publications. The first was working in a neuroscience lab at Rockefeller University as a social media intern and then interning in marketing and communications at AARP. These two internships made me realize that I was able to merge all my interests—writing, research and social media engagement. Through the internship at Rockefeller University, I became more confident in writing and presenting and I learned how to translate the scientific language of neuroscience in ways that marketers could understand and use. I learned where I fit in which I know helped me get the internship at Hearst.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

I like to challenge myself and believe it’s my responsibility to learn new skills and grow, so literally I did everything. Opportunities will not always come to you so you often have to go after them. I asked for more work at all my internships and proved myself capable of taking on any assignment. I made myself indispensable to the team.

What actions have you taken to turn your internship into a full-time position?

Hearst doesn’t hire interns right away unless there’s an opening they qualify for, therefore interns need to stay in touch and find out when an opportunity arises. I will stay in contact with my supervisors and as soon as position opens, I will apply. I love the work and the people I’ve worked with at Hearst. Regardless of what happens, I know from this experience that I want to pursue a career in communications. As a public relations intern, I’ve gained experience in research, social media, video production, pitching stories to the media, tracking and analyzing trends, writing reports and more. These skills are adaptable to any industry.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

One of the most important lessons I learned was to never underestimate the people you meet and the value of building a solid network. Start with your co-workers; people you can share information with and learn from, and then expand both inside and outside the company.

Keep your focus on learning and not just on your resumé. It’s essential to find ways in your internships to challenge yourself, create opportunities you can learn from and then share the information with others.

Go into an internship with an open mind. This will allow you to embrace all aspects of the experience and overcome any obstacle.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: I Discovered My Career Through My Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The holidays are a special time of year for a lot of people. It is a time of year when many families get together and celebrate. It is also a time of year when many people reflect back on the year that just passed and create lists for the year to come. Many articles also surface around this time of year and discuss strategies to create resolution lists for the upcoming year.

This is not one of those articles.

Our lives are full of lists. Grocery lists that organize what we buy at the supermarket. Bucket lists that we cross out with each achievement. Lists of the best places to visit, the world’s richest people and even lists of multilevel marketing schemes exist in a website dedicated to lists¹. With a plethora of lists and things to see and do, our lives can become unbalanced. While lists created using SMART goals² or SWOT analysis³ can be helpful in enabling you to achieve your career goals, sometimes you have to take a step back and look at your work-life balance.

The question is: What is work-life balance and what can I do about it?

Work-life balance involves balancing your work life with your life outside of work⁴, such as leisure and family time. 16 percent of employees in the United States report that they have a hard time balancing their lives between work and their families⁵. Additionally, while technology can increase our productivity at work, it can adversely affect our life at home⁶.

To illustrate this, let us imagine for a moment that you are a newly hired intern at a company. You and your boss were working on a power point presentation for the meeting on Monday morning and you managed to finish the presentation right before the weekend. You go home to your family. On Sunday afternoon, you are about to leave to dinner when your boss sends you a text message with the power point presentation as an attachment. Your boss wants you to add some multimedia to “spruce up” the power point. Do you cancel plans with your family to work on the presentation?

This holiday season, while you are spending time with your family, friends or loved ones, take a moment to enjoy their presence. As you prepare your list for the New Year, take a step back and reflect. Perhaps, instead of thinking about lists and assessing your career goals, put that pen and paper down. That can wait for another day. Go back to your friends, family and loved ones. Work-life balance is about taking the time to enjoy life. Otherwise, you may wake up twenty years later with a nice car and house, but no cherished memories to fill your life with substance.

References

­1. Currie, J., & Eveline, J. (2011). E-technology and work/life balance for academics with young children. Higher Education, 62(4), 533-550.

2. Franco, G. (2014). How to use S.M.A.R.T. goals to achieve success. Retrieved from

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­3. Franco, G. (2015). Using SWOT analysis to build your career. Retrieved from

4. Gora, G. (2015). 10 shocking facts about multilevel marketing schemes. Retrieved from

5. Guest, D. E. (2002). Perspectives on the study of work-life balance. Social Science Information, 41(2), 255-279.

6. Alterman, T; Luckhaupt, SE; Dahlhamer, JM; Ward, BW; Calvert, GM (June 2013). Job insecurity, work-family imbalance, and hostile work environment: Prevalence data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Am J Ind Med 56 (6): 660–669. doi:10.1002/ajim.22123

Author: Gilbert Franco

Image Credit: Muhammed Shamil

Image URL:

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Highlighting her experiences as an intern,  Samantha Netzband offers some great advice on the best practices of being an intern. Samantha is a student at Syracuse University and was a business development intern at PAR Government, a technology solutions company. Samantha shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?

I’ve known since I was 12 years old that I wanted a career where I would solve problems and interact with and help people. I’m not strong in the sciences, so for me that meant becoming a family practice lawyer. As clear as I was, the journey to start law school was not.

I started Syracuse University as a triple major—English, Writing and International Relations. With my focus on law school, I found undergrad work frustrating; I didn’t want to wait four years to complete school. I decided to switch majors to political science, and then worked hard to complete school in two years. I start Syracuse College of Law this fall.

Tell me about your parents.

Both of my parents work for the government although in very different capacities. They instilled in me not specifically the idea of service, but doing work that helped people. My mother has said many times, “I don’t always get what you are doing, but I support your decision”. I’m very lucky to have that kind of support.

What experiences prepared you to start your first professional internship?

In the Spring 2015 I had an internship with the New York State Assembly. Although the work there didn’t directly prepare me for the internship I had this summer, I did start with an understanding of what is expected of interns and how to behave as a professional, not a student.

I’m glad I had that experience because I really didn’t know what I was getting into at PAR Government. It’s an information technology solutions provider to the government and I am not a tech person. There was a lot of complex, dense technical material for me to read and lots of report writing something I didn’t think I was good at but figured I would just have to learn as I went along. Fortunately, it turned out to be a good fit and very beneficial for both the company and me. I feel much more prepared to start law school.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

My manager was very helpful. She asked me what I wanted to learn and what I wanted to get out of the experience. We discussed the good and the bad from my previous internship. When it comes down to it, you’re responsible for your own learning, but it helps when your manager gives assignments you will learn from. For example, in addition to reading technical material, conducting market research was new to me. I got to present the research findings to people all over the country. Having that experience will absolutely help me in law school.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

I know in some companies internships are dirty work and sometimes people can be disrespectful to you because of that. One way for that not to happen is to see yourself as part of the team and just dive in right away, but don’t get too comfortable too quickly. You won’t know what minefields you’re walking into in the beginning. It’s also important to learn the company’s business and jargon used. The government uses a lot of acronyms and it was hard to understand what was expected until I learned them.

My advice is try to get an internship in the career you want but if you can’t, apply to other internship opportunities. I know I want to be a family practice lawyer, but also knew I was not going to get an internship in a law firm until I went to law school. I had internships in government, technology and a nonprofit. There are things to learn from every experience.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: Find Your Place in the Company Right Away appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting her experiences as an intern, Jordan Silverman offers some great advice on the best practices to implement during your internship. Jordan is a student at Tulane University and was a marketing intern in Jerusalem, Israel at Bettertrader, an Israel a trading systems start-up. Jordan shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?

I knew from the start that marketing would be a good fit for me because I like the creative side of business. Adding finance came later. I was enjoying the business classes I was taking and could see how having a background in finance would help me advance in a marketing career. Although I have my heart set on marketing, I don’t know yet if I’m interested in working at an advertising agency, a big company, or even in sports marketing. However,  I will cast a wide net and be open to opportunities that might not be apparent to me right now.

What are some of the experiences that prepared you to start your internship?

As a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a nationwide business fraternity, I get to be with a group of very motivated students who are mostly in the business school. We’re not competitive. Instead, we encourage each other to achieve our individual goals. By attending events, such as hosting a business professional panel, I learned how companies view graduating students as potential new hires. This has been helpful when applying for internships.

Last year I did a semester at Vienna University of Economics and Business in Vienna, Austria. Living there helped me transition to my internship in Israel and the unique culture while some of the other interns I worked with at Bettertrader had a tougher time adjusting. In addition, some of the courses I took helped me develop a better worldview of how to market brands, making it easier to do my job.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

Bettertrader is a startup company. I knew going into the internship that I would do a number of different jobs within marketing some of which would be new to me. For example, I created an email marketing campaign to engage potential customers. I was comfortable writing the content to present to decision makers at Bettertrader, but I needed to teach myself to use the software that would track customer response to the email campaign. I also created and conducted market research surveys. I really pushed myself to develop analytical skills, which I now understand are essential to getting a job in marketing.

What are some of the other takeaways from your internship?

When I start to look for a job, I knew I want to begin my career in a bigger company where I will have exposure to the a diverse networks of ideologies and people I can both learn from and see as mentors. I would not have known that if I didn’t have this internship.

From this experience, I can show employers how easily I adapt to situations, my willingness to take on responsibilities and my effectiveness working in teams. Every day I learned not to judge so quickly because it’s never as black and white as it might appear, especially when you are working in another culture.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

My father gave me this advice: Each week take time to write down what you did. It’s easy to forget your accomplishments if you don’t track them. When you go to write your resumé or LinkedIn profile or preparing for an interview, you will have the information readily available.

I also think it’s important to speak up and do so this without offending others. Going to school in Vienna and working in Israel, I learned how to be culturally sensitive. I recommend looking for an internship outside of the U.S. because it’s another skill to differentiate yourself from other job candidates.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com. Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: What You Will Learn From Getting An Internship Abroad appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you don’t already have a game plan for your summer internship search in the spring, the holiday break is the perfect time to start thinking about it! The four week break leaves you lots of time to do activities that will boost your resume and make you a better candidate when it comes time to apply to jobs.

While vegging out on the couch and watching reruns may seem like an enticing option, the key to landing a summer internship is to plan ahead. Small steps like these can really help in the long run so you’re not scrambling to get your resumes in order come spring. Here are a few easy steps to help get you ahead of the game.

Get a Job or Externship

Experience is the best thing you can do for your experience. Short term externship experiences show dedication and interest in your field, which an employer will recognize. If internships or externships are not an option, getting a job is alway a good idea, as it shows you are hard working. Plus, making money isn’t so bad either!

Start Your Resumes Now.

When it comes time to submit your resumes and cover letters to employers in February, you are going to have your hands full with mid-semester projects, midterms and essays. Do yourself a favor and get on top of this while you can. By starting now, you have the time and freedom to get creative with your resumes and customize them for each internship you apply to.

Learn a New Skill.

Next to building your experience, the best thing you can do to boost your resume is learn new skills that are applicable to jobs you are applying for! Employers admire applicants that are already trained on programs and software, which gives you a competitive edge in the application process. Learning new skills can mean taking an online course in coding, taking an Excel or Salesforce class at a community college or learning a new language.

The main purpose of your break is to relax and take a break from school, but in your free time consider swapping out your TV remote for a book. Theses are all easy steps to help you get ahead and land you the internship of your dreams. Having a solid plan and structure during your job search will reduce the stress and prevent you from scrambling at the last minute. Come February, you will be glad you did.

The post How to Use the Holiday Break to Land a Summer Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Highlighting her experiences as an intern, Celia Hensey offers some great advice on the best practices of being an intern. Celia is a student at Washington University in St. Louis and did an internship at  Dunes Monitoring Program, Bellows Air Force Station. Celia shared her story in this interview conducted by Jane Horowitz, More Than A Resumé.

Did you have specific career plans when you started college?

Yes, I’m a planner. I went to Washington University in St. Louis and was certain I would be a molecular biology major and afterwards attend graduate school. Then I took my first class. I knew right then it wasn’t a good fit for me. I started to explore other opportunities and learned about the school’s Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability. The program is a way for me to take an interdisciplinary course work approach to my studies and exposes me to both case studies and fieldwork, which were new to me when I started school. I credit the Pathfinders Program for helping me discover my passion for environmental biology and fieldwork.

Tell me how you got your internship at Bellows Air Force Station on Oahu.

As an associate in the Pathfinders program, I have access to a network of professors and upper classmates who helped me understand career opportunities in my field of study. I also participate in a career services center program that organizes work groups to discuss careers. The facilitator of the group I’m involved with was leaving to take a job in Hawaii. We had a meeting to discuss her new job and discovered a shared passion for environmental work. As a result of our conversation, she connected me to the manager of the Dune Monitoring Study program at Bellows who was looking for two Washington University summer interns.

Unfortunately, the program was unfunded and the internship was unpaid. However, I applied and received approval for research funding through Washington University and am now writing a research paper that will outline the dune monitoring study procedure and plan to monitor sand build up that we designed.

What were some of the experiences that prepared you for this internship?

One aspect of the internship was to replant the dunes with native plants, which we could never do with such a small team. During my previous internship with a non-profit conservation group, I gained experience planning a community outreach program. I like seeing a project from its start to the finish and used what I had learned to take the lead on creating a community event. I planned and marketed the event and met with neighborhood associations and nursery owners. On the day of the event, we planted 3,000 sq. ft. in just three hours with the help of volunteers.

What steps did you take to make sure you developed and learned skills from your internship?

My plan is to have a career in environmental conservation. I’m very interested in community engagement and by taking ownership of the event, I learned more about how to reach out to communities. Also, living in the Midwest I don’t have many opportunities to work on coastal ecology projects. I was able to study native plants and learn from nursery owners from my experience and I plan on going back to work in Hawaii.

What actions have you taken to turn your internship into a full-time position?

There isn’t an opportunity to work at Bellows after graduation because it’s an unfunded program. It’s really the passion and work of the program manager and the interns and volunteers. However, through the internship I’ve built a professional network in Hawaii.

What advice do you have for college students who are interning this summer?

I think the most important thing you can do is identifying what exactly it is you want out of your internship and the specific skills you want to learn. I talked with the program manager about my priorities and together we created opportunities for me to accomplish my goals.

One of the benefits of an internship is learning from other people in the field and finding a mentor. Cultivate relationships with the people you have similar interests with to learn how they got started in their careers, what they think the pros and cons are and to grow your network.

Do you have internship advice to share with your peers? Please submit your request for an interview at info@morethanaresume.com . Please include your college, major and graduation year.

The post InternView: Before You Start Your Internship Identify Your Goals and Priorities appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Controlling your frustration when your boss asks you to redo a project that you spent weeks on is difficult. Instead of getting angry and coming off aggressive, this Mashable article suggested you try asking two simple questions to get better clarification on project goals and ways to improve for next time.

The post How to Control Your Frustration When Asked to Start Over on a Project appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Networking is something that can be done incorrectly and it’s hard to figure out the best way to do it, but this article by Mashable breaks it down for you. Brian Balfour, VP of Growth for the Sidekick Team at Hubspot, created the infographic in the linked article about how to write a networking email in five simple steps.

The post 5 Steps to Networking via Email appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As the summer began, the start date of my marketing internship was drawing nearer. This would be my first internship experience, so I was understandably nervous. I had no idea what to expect – I didn’t have much experience in marketing, and as the full-time copywriter for the company had just left, I was going to be writing copy as well. I have writing experience, but I have never written for a company. Many things were up in the air, and I was under the assumption that the internship would be a hectic catch-up game in which I always felt like I was a step behind.

The internship started, and I was first tasked with understanding more about what the company does – something I expected. As the days progressed, I often found myself without much work to do, something that is dangerous for an intern. I like to keep busy, and at times when there was nobody around to give me something to do, I felt useless. I didn’t like that, so I decided to think of ways to be of use.

The first thing I did to fight my boredom was to take a walk around the office and simply ask my co-workers if they had anything for me to do. I even set up a shadowing session with the woman who handles the search engine optimization for the products on Amazon and other e-commerce sites, a skill that is extremely useful in marketing. Finding co-workers and learning about what they do, even if they aren’t in your department, is a great use of your time and is invaluable for expanding your professional repertoire.

Another thing I did was to simply look through all of the company files, find timelines and plans that had not been implemented yet and take a stab at some of them. For example, I came across the social calendar that we had created for the next year, and I noticed we had content planned for the month of August that hadn’t been written. So, I decided to have a go at it, and it turned out well enough that it will be included on our new website. I also wrote some new introductory copy for the revamped catalog that is being released, which will be used as well.

Finally, if you still can’t find something to do after asking around with your fellow employees and searching through all of the company files you have access to, go online and try to learn something useful. At one point, I looked up some different search engine optimization resources and tried to learn some more details about that. I also read about some different copywriting strategies and tools, and both of these resources really did help me become better at my job.

What it comes down to is this: Make sure that whatever you’re doing, you’re learning something. You want to use your time wisely, as your internship is likely a stepping stone to your future career. Any extra skills you can acquire during your time will help you along the road, so make use of this incredible opportunity you have been given and do some learning.

The post Fighting Your Internship Boredom appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Intern (n):

A student or trainee that works in order to gain work experience.

That’s the point of an internship — to gain work experience that you could not learn in a classroom. In my opinion, an internship is the best thing a student could do before entering the workforce. You discover how you will work in an office setting. You will  figure out the kind of employee you could be, and you will be able to differentiate jobs that interest you from those that don’t.

While just being an intern and completing your tasks is one thing, there are many ways that you can go above and beyond to become a super intern.

No matter what kind of internship you have, there’s always something more you can do. There’s always another question to ask or another skill to gain. An internship is in place for you to learn real skills in a field you may end up in. You work with people who are living this career; therefore, you have the opportunity to be just like them someday.

The most important thing for you to do is ask questions. No matter what, you’re an intern. You’re a pre-professional in a professional environment, so there are bound to be things that you don’t know how to do yet, and that’s ok. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure. Your supervisor will be happy to answer any questions you have, so they won’t have to correct you once you finish your task. Your supervisor is there to teach and support you. That’s why they signed on to have an intern. They will appreciate any questions you ask because your eagerness shows that you are attentive and willing to learn.

This should go without saying, but complete your tasks on time, and complete them fully. Do not turn in work that is half finished or that is done poorly, simply because you wanted to turn it in on time. If you’re struggling to meet a deadline, let your supervisor or co-workers know a few days before the project or task is due. They will work with you to make sure you do you best work. Also, because you are a brand new intern, they aren’t aware of your working pace. It might take a few trial and error sessions, but eventually, you will find your groove, and you will work well together.

If you complete your work early and have no more tasks to do, ask for more. My current supervisor told me that she has a running list of things for me to do if I ever run out of tasks. Again, you are just beginning and will have to find a happy work pace with your supervisor, so when in doubt, ask for more work because there will always be something for you to do. At a past internship, my supervisor wrote in a recommendation letter that I am a hard worker and that I will do any task because I constantly asked her if she needed any help. Who cares if it’s a menial task like organizing a desk or making copies? Your effort will be appreciated and it  won’t go unnoticed.

Something I started doing recently is taking notes while having one-on-one meetings with my supervisor, and I definitely recommend trying it out. Not only does it help you remember what you discussed, but it also shows that you are attentive. With that being said, you don’t have to copy down every single word that’s said, but jot down notes that you won’t remember or details that you think are important. Taking notes saves a lot of time in the end. If you can’t remember a specific dimension that your supervisor wanted you to use for a graphic, for example, you’ll have it written in your notes, and you won’t have to send an email or pop into their office.

Make it a habit to say hello/good morning to people when you get into the office – the same goes for saying goodbye/good afternoon/good evening when you leave. It seems like such a little detail, but again, people will remember it. It shows that you’re friendly and that you work well in an office environment. No matter how big or small your office is, make it a habit.

Internships are a big deal. Being an intern is a big deal. You were specifically chosen for a reason, so make sure you prove them right. You did or said something right during your interview that made your interviewer(s) want to offer you a position, so make sure you live up to that expectation. Whenever I work on a new project or have a new internship, my aunt always tells me to “Soak it up like a sponge.” Take everything that your internship offers you, and soak it in. There’s so much for you to learn, so make sure you take advantage of it, and be the best intern you can be. You have the potential; now, just put in the effort.

The post How to be a Successful Intern appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Interested in interning at a startup company? Mashable posted this article about 12 things you should look for if you’re considering this type of internship. The post references 12 members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) who provide insight on the type of position you should apply for, the importance of understanding the business and more.

The post What to Look for When Considering Interning at a Startup appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

For those of you who have considered a career in the banking industry, sleep may not be very common.

According to Mashable’s article, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. told its summer interns that they aren’t able to work more than 17 hours per day. For some, this may be considered a blessing given the amount of hours that are normally worked by investment bankers.

The post Goldman Sachs Interns Only Allowed 17 Hour Workdays appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are all about gaining experience, making connections and learning new things. They involve a lot of work and learning, but if you’re able to have fun in between all of this, you know you picked a good one. Whether it’s the work you’re doing or the people that surround you, there are so many different things to love about your internship.

If you love your internship, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. It’s often difficult to find an internship that you absolutely love.

Do you love your internship? Here are 5 signs that you do:

1. Work doesn’t feel like actual work.

There’s a big difference between doing work that you’re assigned and doing work that you enjoy. If you find each task or assignment to be dreadful like a chore, then you aren’t enjoying yourself. On the other hand, if you find each task exciting, fun or easy to do, chances are, you love what you’re doing.

2. You have actual conversations about things other than work with your coworkers.

If all you and your coworkers do is talk about the company, assignments or other work-related topics, then you aren’t really bonding. Knowing things about your coworkers enables you to establish relationships. For example, if you know your coworker’s  dog’s name, their favorite sport to watch and play or their favorite TV show (which happens to be your favorite too), then you have formed a real connection. When you have people at your internship to talk to about things that aren’t work related, you’ve created a memorable relationship. You have not only a coworker but a friend as well.

3. You get excited to go into the office.

Because of a combination of #1 and #2, you want to go into the office to work and chat with your coworkers. If you don’t dread getting out of bed in the morning (unless you didn’t get any sleep or you are sick,) don’t find yourself coming up with excuses to work remotely or don’t feel unproductive throughout the day, then you actually enjoy the whole internship experience.

4. You find yourself learning new things everyday.

The entire purpose of an internship is to gain new skills and apply them to real tasks. An internship is like a crash course of working in the real world. You’re learning from hands on experience instead of a classroom lesson. Whether you learn big things or little things, at a great internship, you’ll be learning constantly.

5. You compare any future job, internship or work experience to it.

Basically, you can’t stop raving about it. Maybe you love the coffee shop across the street or bagels on the first Wednesday of every month–you always find yourself comparing any and everything to it. Will anything ever measure up?

First, congratulations! It’s difficult to find an internship that resembles what you want to do in the future, but you were able to do that and more. Doing something you love is so important.

10 years down the line, you don’t want to find yourself stuck at a job that you don’t enjoy. When you find an actual job that you love to do, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. Enjoy your internship! Continue working hard, and continue communicating with your supervisor–you never know if the internship could turn into a potential job post-grad.

The post 5 Signs You Love Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Congratulations on your summer internship! Getting paid to learn is an awesome gig. Pat yourself on the back.

But now that you’re here, what should you do to get the most of your limited time this summer?

Since you’re reading WayUp, I’m going to guess that doing a good job is something you were planning on doing anyway.

It’s assumed you’ll show up and hustle, but there’s always more we can do as top performers.

Here are some tips to go beyond a job well done:

Connect with colleagues on LinkedIn

This tip is so simple and easy, yet many interns forget to add their co-workers on LinkedIn.

Even if you think the website is “for old people,” remember that you’ll be “old” one day too (and sooner than you think).

You will need professional contacts throughout your career for many reasons – not just to find a new job.

The best networks have a large number of quality professionals – so start early and be consistent. LinkedIn is by far the fastest way to save these professional contacts without much effort.

ACTION ITEM:
– Every time you meet a new colleague, add him or her on LinkedIn. Make this as normal as breathing. Your future self will thank you for it.

Read more LinkedIn tips in my guide on LinkedIn profile optimization.

Reach out to colleagues outside your team

While it’s tempting to keep your head down and be a rockstar for your team, branching out to other employees is another way to have a stand-out summer.

Just like the first tip with LinkedIn, this tip expands your professional network.

Why do I care so much about building a network of quality professionals?

In today’s job market, over 70 percent of jobs are found through networking.

Take advantage of being the young and curious intern, and reach out to your company. Have informal lunch meetings so you don’t disrupt normal business hours. Learn more about the company in these meetings, and see if your skills can be used on different teams.

There comes a point in most careers where your people skills matter more than your technical ability. Interpersonal skills are learned, not gifted by nature. Take this opportunity to practice your people skills in a low risk environment – you are “the intern” after all.

Reaching out early will give you the practice needed to be a great networker.

ACTION ITEM:
– Schedule one informal lunch meeting per week with an employee not on your team.

Don’t know how to start? Check out our email scripts on beginner networking over here.

Deliver hand-written ‘thank you’ cards

In a world of Tweet storms and disappearing Snapchats, having a permanent and emotional connection is a rare occasion.

Throwback to the days where you had to write with a pen and paper. Take the time to thank your mentors and colleagues with a physical card.

The card is a physical reminder of your awesomeness that summer. Each time your manager glances at your card during a stressful work day, he or she will remember how you made their life easier.

This one’s simple, but also easy to over-do. A basic Hallmark card and a one paragraph thank you are enough.

ACTION ITEM:
– Deliver a hand-written card for each manager you reported to. Also consider cards for co-workers you worked with often.

Use these tips to expand your network, practice your people skills and leave a permanent connection. Who knows…you may find yourself with a full-time job offer after this Summer of hustling.

Let us know in the comments how everything goes!

The post How to Get The Most Out of Your Summer Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In this new age of interviewing, savvy career searchers know to expect a “Huh?” question just as much as the standard “Tell me about yourself” inquiry. Several years ago, Google forever made its mark on interviewing with such quandaries as, “How many ping-pong balls do you need to fill a Boeing 747 plane?”

I’ll let you ponder that one for a few minutes.

I’ve been telling clients to expect these questions and training them on how to answer such queries. Tip 1: remember that it’s not about a precise number or response so much as talking out loud about how you would go about getting the answer. Tip 2: In addition to thinking out loud, ask questions of your interviewer to better formulate your response as opposed to panicking or appearing flustered by the question. Also, comment if you are interested in answers to this plane/ping-pong ball question.

As a tip of the hat to recently retired David Letterman, we bring to you a Top Ten List of NEW Oddball Interview Questions and are also providing tips on how to approach answering them.

1. Batman vs. Spiderman: Who Would Win?

This is a “stop you in your tracks” question that came from Stanford University; how does one even approach answering a query such as this? What if comic book heroes – and their movie franchises – are not topics you even know much about? Here’s my thought, and I believe you can apply the logic to many similar questions:

Potential Response 1: If you are familiar with the characters and can reason an answer, go for it (I am quite familiar with both characters and do believe that Spiderman’s capabilities truly outweigh those of Batman and here’s why…)

Potential Response 2: If you are not familiar with the characters, answer the question without really doing so at all (Although comic book heroes are not my forté, I believe that both characters are good guys and fight the bad guys. As such, I believe they would not ever find themselves in a fight as they are both on the same side!)

2. In what ways are you lucky?

This is an interesting alternative to the “Tell me about yourself” question; Airbnb asks it and given their penchant for upbeat employees, it makes sense. What this question is really asking is, “How do you see yourself?” and is therefore a behavioral interview question. The key here is to be thoughtful without being too revealing (please avoid such responses as, “I’m really lucky to even be here after escaping from prison last week…”) We suggest keeping your answer somewhat career-focused.

Potential Response: I am quite lucky to have found a sector I truly love and have worked for some companies that value hard-work and innovation. I am also passionate about what I do and am quite fortunate to have worked with great people so far; I look forward to continuing that lucky streak in future positions.

3. Tell me a story.

Technically, this is a request and not a question! Celgene, a global biopharmaceutical company based in New Jersey, asked this question for a corporate communications role; interviewers were looking for people who understand the art of story-telling and power of communication. The same logic applies here as to so many others on this list. Ask a few questions and then go in for the kill — the goal is to quickly establish expectations and show collaboration (even though you are the one who will eventually need to supply a story!)

Potential Response: What kind of story would you like to hear today – a scary story, a fairy tale, an allegory or a funny story from my trip down here to meet you? Okay, a funny story from my trip in to this interview it is. As I was walking over, I saw what can only be described as an event straight out of “The Three Stooges.” A man walking down the street, let’s call him Moe, did not see the banana peel in front of him and actually slipped on it. I did not think that happened in real life! I did run right over to help him up and make sure he was fine; besides hurting his ego, which was absolutely bruised, he was injury-free. I removed the peel from the sidewalk and we both continued on our way. Besides him being fine, I am happy that I have not seen “Moe” walking around the office since arriving for the interview! 

4. What is the world’s tallest building and how many quarters would you need to build a quarter tower the same height as that building?

This question is a two-parter; first, it is asking for you to determine the tallest building (which is, essentially, current events — how up-to-date are you on such trivial knowledge?) before forcing you to reason out a response. The good news? You don’t need to provide an actual answer.

Suggested response: I do believe that a hotel in Dubai is currently the world’s tallest building. I would need to know first if we are stacking the quarters flat on top of one another or edge on edge — either way, we are breaking laws of physics at some point! From there, I would need the height of the building and the dimensions of the quarter before running some simple math equations.

5. If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be and why?

This is another behavioral interview character and the interviewer is likely looking to see how creative you are; I doubt a white-collar law firm would ask this but a digital marketing agency probably would. Think outside of the box and make sure your response to back it up is relevant to the work place.

Potential response: I would have to say Marge Simpson; despite her poor taste in hair color and spouses (even though I generally like Homer as a character), she has always struck me as a truly smart person, as well as someone who is able to navigate tricky situations with grace. I know how challenging that is, even in a 2-D world, but can personally identify with those qualities.

6. If you were a crayon color, which one would you be and why?

This is another great behavioral question that is assessing your creativity. A good response would be interesting; a great response will tie it back to the job overall.

Potential Response: I would pick a vibrant color that is rare in nature but spectacular when you see it; a deep blue or emerald green that you see on a really beautiful peacock feather are both colors that come to mind as I feel that what I bring to the table, career-wise, is a rare combination of skills.

7. What would you do if a colleague approached you about another team member who has a body odor issue?

This question stinks! All jokes aside, this is actually a really useful one as it helps the interviewer to see how you handle awkward situations within the workplace. The key here is to remain as politically correct as possible.

Potential Response: I would check the handbook and speak with HR as the employee should probably hear this info but it would likely be best coming from someone whose job description entails handling “human” issues. That said, if the person is a dear friend outside of work, I may consider being that individual but it would have to be a very close friend whom I believe would respond better hearing this kind of sensitive information from me.

8. How would you design a spice rack for the blind?

This question is both a process-oriented and behavioral question in one. Your response need be both pragmatic as well as empathetic; while those are seemingly two opposites, great responses are absolutely possible.

A potential response might be: This is a great question and one that may be best answered by trying to experience using a spice rack the way a blind person does. I may engage in some R&D first, speaking with a few blind individuals to hear what is currently in their home before designing something even better. I do believe that having brail on the rack is important, as is easy access to smelling the contents. I also believe it will be helpful for some component of the rack to let a user know when the contents are getting low so he or she can refill it.

9. What do you think you will hate about this job?

Medtronic asked this question for a relatively entry-level role. Why is it important to mention the level? My guess is because the response can help determine one’s maturity level. We suggest being as honest-yet-politically-correct as possible.

Potential Response As with many life changes, there may be parts of the role that are not my favorite; that said, I thrive in creative, collaborative settings and am looking for that in a role. I do believe that, based on our conversation so far, I would be absolutely fine.

10. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate me as an interviewer?

The creator of your favorite mac-and-cheese (Kraft) is known to ask this question not because they actually want to hear how much you suck up to the interviewer but rather see how well you communicate opinions, especially in a stressful situation. Our suggestion is to avoid extremes (as in, try not to give either 1 or 10 as a response) and focus more on the sandwich method of positive, constructive criticism, positive.

Potential Response: Overall, I have really enjoyed our conversation as it feels both authentic and informative, so thank you for that. I would like to hear more information from you about upcoming major projects that the person in this role would be working on and perhaps there is time for that now. Honestly, though, I believe your interviewing skills are absolutely on-target and I look forward to the rest of our dialogue today and, hopefully, in the future. I would rate it at nearly 9.

Special thank you to Glassdoor.com as well as our wonderful Project Manager, Jodi Rogozinski, for supplying most of these oddball questions; the others come from family and friends who report back from the trenches.

It’s YOUR Career: ReFresh. Revive. Renew!

The post The Top 10 NEW Oddball Interview Questions You Need to Know (and the experts’ suggested responses) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The search for an internship can be long, so why not get a head start on it — even if it’s a year in advance. Check out this senior recruiter’s  Viget blog post   about why the email she received from a student  was a smart move for anyone who’s looking to build relationships and gain advice from the company that they would like to intern for.

The post Be Proactive With Your Internship Search appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Photography internships can enable you to work with top-notch photographers. Many are even willing to give amateur photographers with great potential a first look into the process of making a career out of photography.

It’s a tough world out there in this specific field, considering the amount of competition that grows every year, and doing an internship can get you on the right track. Use these 10 great tips for finding and landing these internships successfully.

1. Create a Perfect Physical Portfolio

Make sure you have a portfolio that really showcases your skills as a photographer. Printing out your images on glossy paper or any type of photography paper will show that you are serious. Internship employers usually want to find people who are creative. If you can showcase this to them, you will have a higher chance of getting hired.

Look books are a good idea, but if you spend the time to make a custom portfolio and look book geared toward the position you are applying for, your chances essentially skyrocket. It shows creativity and a strong desire for the internship.

2. Digital Portfolio

Take the plunge and buy a domain, like www.yourname.com, and build a portfolio site. Products like Squarespace allow you to make super slick sites with no knowledge of web development, and portfolio sites are relatively simple. You are just showcasing all your work.

Make sure you have social 2.0 accounts for your photography on all the major outlets: a Facebook page, Instagram, Tumblr, WordPress and more. Make sure these are separate from your personal social accounts as it implies an air of professionalism when they are accounts dedicated to your photography.

Have these linked and featured on your portfolio site. This makes you look much larger than life.

3. Keep an Online Press Kit Handy

Also on your portfolio site, you are going to want a page that is a one-page type press kit. Usually new businesses and bands have press kits, but you’ll find them useful as well for landing work in this field. This is basically a kit with your logo, promotional materials and anything else that the public or media needs to know about you or your business. In this case, it’s a unique little kit to showcase who you are to employers.

4. Find Internships Online

You don’t need to go through classified ads or newspapers to find these opportunities. The Internet is filled with companies looking to hire you as an intern. There are sites that aggregate internships, and they are a really good resource.

I would also recommend approaching companies that normally don’t offer internships but have a clear need for photos, and try pitching them your ideas.

I bought some glasses online from glasses.com, and in the process, I noticed that all their product shots were the same. I also assumed they had tons of products that always needed shooting. I simply emailed them my desire to intern and my willingness to work for pennies. I pitched a few alternate ideas about how to shoot their product, and I got the internship!

There are probably millions of websites and local business out there that need product or branding photography. (Seriously, e-commerce websites like this that have shot after shot of inventory, large and small, are everywhere.) They may not be advertising an internship, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be interested in having an intern. They just don’t know it yet. That’s where you come in.

5. Cover Letter

It is highly recommended to submit a cover letter for an internship. This letter should indicate reasons that outline why you should be given the chance to be an intern. Don’t be afraid to include information about who you are, including your previous experiences. This letter is not your resume. Think of it as a way to touch base about who you are; it’s the cherry on top of your resume.

6. References

Any kind of previous work involves working with employers. If you’re in good touch with any companies you have worked with, try asking for a letter of recommendation. If you have worked with a charity or have volunteered at your church, these are sources that can help add that special effect that says you know what you’re doing as a photographer.

7. Interview Like You’re Ready to Learn

During the phone interview, you want to make sure that you are eager to learn from the best. Showcase your technical expertise and know-how; let them know what you’re capable of, but always show them that you’re eager to learn. This is what internships are all about in the end. It’s about employers giving new people like you the chance to learn the business and work from the bottom-up. Showing this eagerness and willingness to learn will increase your chances of employment.

8. In-Person Interviews

Doing in-person interviews are very scary, and they require a different level of preparation as opposed to traditional phone interviews. It is highly recommended to wear professional clothing, speak with confidence and be the best version of you. They want to hire somebody with that natural extinct in this field, so showcase your abilities throughout the interview.

9. Which Internship Should I Apply to?

Consider applying to an internship that interests you. There are times when an internship may involve photographing people or things you aren’t interested in. Find out what the job will entail, and you will be able to see by the job description if it is of any interest to you.

The tips above should help get you on the right track to landing an internship in the photography field. The key is to make sure that you present yourself as a professional photographer who is ready to learn about the business.

The post Tips for Getting an Exciting Photography Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

‘Networking’ is a word that, for some, is extremely daunting. Despite all of the workshops and classes we can take, books we can read and tips we can try to remember, the truth is that networking does not always come easily or naturally to everyone.

Whether it is shyness or awkwardness about feeling like you have to sell yourself, there are many reasons as to why building connections to help forward your career can be uncomfortable. Don’t worry; not everyone has to be a master in collecting business cards.

Luckily, there is one easy way to build your network that does not require attending business events: Constantly talk about your passion.

Whatever it is you love doing and want to do as a career, talk about it. All the time. To your professors and peers, yes, but also to your friend who you haven’t seen in years, your hair stylist, the person you just met on the subway and your mailman.

It can be as easy as responding to, “How are you?” with, “I’ve had a busy day researching job openings at marketing firms.” It is an easy, honest way to mention your job search in a casual conversation, and you never know who will know someone who can connect you to a job.

Lauren Cohan of The Walking Dead said once in an interview that she met the head of casting at CBS while working as a waitress in L.A., impressed him while on the job and landed an audition.

I myself got an industry connection through my dentist, who asked me what I was studying in school while his hands were inside my mouth. Another time, someone who I sat next to on the plane while flying home for Christmas offered me his sister’s contact information because I spoke to him about my career interests, and he thought she could help me out. In neither case was there any formal networking happening, just an as-luck-would-have-it moment.

The majority of people you speak to might not have any leads for you, but if you cast your line enough times, chances are that someone will have a valuable connection or even just great advice to help you out. For those who find professional networking overwhelming, a good place to start is by talking about what you love to do to whoever will listen.

And who knows? All it might take to get your foot in the door is a quick conversation with your grocery store cashier.

About the Author

Ashley Kim is a college senior about to finish her B.A. in Film Studies. Currently living in Southern California but originally from Seattle, her time is spent writing, traveling and studying abroad, and navigating the job market. After college, she hopes to find a job where she can practice what she loves every day: writing. She can be found on her blog and Twitter.

The post The Art of Casual Networking appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Career fairs are an opportunity to network, to find out what companies are looking for, to see who is hiring and to learn more about companies first hand.

Before

It is always best to research the companies that are going to be attending the career fair. The event organizer usually has the list. Researching is a great way to make a list of which companies you want to visit and talk to. The career fair does not go on forever, and although you should make a point to visit and talk to everyone, narrowing it down will help you prioritize. It’s important to check out their website, know what the company does and who some of their clients are and see where you can fit in at this company.

Think of some questions about each company to ask the representatives. This will show them that you are genuinely interested, and they will be more likely to keep your resume at the top of the list. It is also a great conversation starter if you’re nervous.

Here are some things to take to a career fair:

• A small notebook to take notes with.
• Something to hold business cards (I found a small notebook with a pocket in front perfect for business cards.)
• Your resume. At least 20 copies depending on the size of the career fair.
• A file folder to hold your resumes and other papers/flyers you pick up from the stands.

Your outfit should be business casual at least. You should look professional, neat and clean. You are here for your career, and you should look and act that way.

During

Act professional, be mindful and show respect. Don’t interrupt conversations, don’t be rude and don’t chew gum. Look around for the companies that were on the top of your list, and go strike up a conversation with the representative. If there is a line, and you’re in it for longer than three minutes, move on. Try to talk to companies that are on your list and also to companies that are not. You never know where an opportunity lies.

When it is your turn to speak, make sure to give a firm handshake, smile and introduce yourself and what you do. Ask the questions you have prepared, and when finished, ask for a business card. You can also ask if they would like your resume. Always try to see where someone like you and your skills can fit in with the company, and make sure you’re not taking up too much of their time, or yours, for that matter.

After

Congratulate yourself for your efforts. Think about what you did well and what you can improve on next time. Send out follow up emails to everyone you got a business card from thanking them for their time. If you guys talked about anything significant or if the representative asked a question and you told them you would get back to them, add the details in the email.

Some Tips

• Make sure you take notes if the representatives are answering your questions. This will show interest.
• Arrive early.
• Ask for their business card.
• Connect with the representatives on LinkedIn.
• Get in the habit of sending a follow up email after any event or encounter that involves you getting a business card.
• If a company you wanted to talk to couldn’t make it to the job fair or if you couldn’t talk to a company at the fair due to time constraints, find the representative’s email and send them a letter saying that you’re sorry you didn’t get a chance to speak with them and attach your resume. Some ideas for follow up emails can be found here.

The post Mastering the Career Fair: A Quick Guide appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you are a business major, it’s easy to get drawn into imagining yourself as an intern at Google or with a prestigious firm on Wall Street. The reality is that most big name corporations have highly selective internship and employment programs. By one estimate, you would have a better shot at gaining admission to Stanford or Harvard than you would at scoring a job at Google. What other options are available to business majors as the competition for plum internship positions and jobs becomes more intense?

Nonprofit internships are often overlooked as an excellent way to gain transferrable skills and work on substantive projects that you can own. Let’s debunk some of the common myths about interning with a nonprofit:

Myth #1: Having a “big name” company on my resume is the best way to get a job when I graduate.

Reality:  While interning with a top company will certainly get the attention of prospective employers, at the end of the day, they are more interested in what you have actually accomplished. Your past performance is the best indicator of the value you can bring to a prospective employer. Because many nonprofits have limited human and financial resources, interns are often able to manage major projects that communicate a high level of responsibility on resumes. Being able to say that you implemented QuickBooks in your organization, coordinated a fundraising event that raised $500,000, or designed and launched a nonprofit’s website that increased volunteer applications by 15 percent, can provide evidence of your strong project management skills. Projects of this scale and level of responsibility are typically not offered to interns in larger corporations.

Myth #2: Interning with a nonprofit means that I will be working for free.

Reality: While a number of nonprofits do not have the resources to pay volunteer interns, internship offices are seeing a trend in more nonprofits offering hourly wages or stipends to their interns. In part, nonprofits are building internships into their budgets as they realize the value that interns can bring. In addition, many nonprofits are able to use grant funding to hire interns for special projects.

Myth #3: As a business major, I should intern in a “real” business.

Reality: There are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. Together these organizations employ 8 percent of our workforce and account for over 5 percent of the U.S. Gross National Product. Business majors can find internships in nonprofits in areas ranging from IT to marketing to finance. Do you know what the NFL, New York Stock Exchange, Princeton University, and American Red Cross all have in common? They are all nonprofit organizations.

A frequently overlooked benefit to interning with a nonprofit is the opportunity to be part of an organization that has social impact. Imagine the potential rewards of interning for an organization that measures its bottom line not just on its financial impact, but also on the impact it has on society. Another benefit to consider is that interns in nonprofits often have the opportunity to interact with board members, some of whom might have influential leadership positions in corporations and can help you expand your network. Opening your internship search to nonprofit organizations might benefit you in ways you never expected.

Angela Schmiede is Dean of Academic & Professional Success at Menlo College, a small, private business college located in Silicon Valley. She has over 20 years of experience designing and leading experiential learning programs, and has taught at Vanderbilt and Stanford Universities.

The post Taking the Road Less Traveled: Nonprofit Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If landing an internship in your own city, let alone a different city in the US is tricky– international internships take the cake. There are passports, visas, currency conversions, language differences, work permits, the list goes on. The hardest part, however, is actually securing the internship.

When you Google “international internship,” you get 254,000,000 results which is immediately overwhelming. There are tons of resources out there for students and recent grads to get an internship abroad, but where do you start? How do you narrow down almost 254 million Internet hits to 3-4 real possibilities? How do you know they’re not scams?

These are the four sites that we found to be the most consistent, reliable and not seedy. (Plus, I am always scrolling through them in my downtime.)

1.Idealist

Idealist is the biggest source for jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities around the world. While there lots of listings for the US, searching for specific countries or even just “Europe” helps you find international postings.

Idealist posts mostly for the social sector i.e. nonprofit, government and volunteer jobs. You can make a profile for yourself to let companies find you, but it’s not necessary to apply for jobs. Job posting can range from having minimal information to specific degrees and languages you need to speak. Most postings just ask you to email your resume and cover letter to the company.

2. Just Better Jobs

Just Better Jobs brands themselves as the “most compelling job board, offering vacancies with good businesses like ethical fashion labels, organic cosmetic brands, organic food producers, green and ethical online retailers, eco-tourism firms and more.”

Besides that, Just Better Jobs has criteria that each job posting and company must pass before posting, so you know it’s good. Most of the jobs are based in the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, which is beneficial for those who don’t speak a foreign language well.

There are many entry-level jobs, ranging from hospitality to marketing. Again, you don’t need to sign up to apply. Most just require you to email the company directly.

3. Moving Worlds

Moving Worlds is a different kind of job site. Actually, it’s all volunteer work. Don’t let that put you off– many of the jobs cover accommodation, food and sometimes travel. Additionally, there are several that do offer compensation.

Moving Worlds is very universal with many jobs in Asia, Africa and South America. To apply for the jobs, you have to make a profile and specify your skills and areas of interest. Browsing the opportunities is free, but to actually be matched, you must purchase a membership plan.

While I am never a fan of paying for a work experience, Moving Worlds is the one I see as most reasonable. Purchasing a plan means you are guaranteed a match or your money back. Plans range from $99 to $799 (woah, right?) a year and they include travel discounts and unlimited introductions to Moving World’s opportunities around the world. You’ll also get their “Opportunity of the Week” emails.

4. Escape the City

Escape the City is my favorite resource for international jobs.

First off, they are cool. They are their own little culture, dedicated to helping people “escape” their corporate desk jobs and jump into a completely new job across the globe. They have tons of testimonials from escapees and one of my favorite weekly email newsletters, “Top 10 Escape Opportunities”.

You do have to sign up and create a profile, but there is no charge. Once you’re signed up, you can start applying for jobs. Escape the City is based in London, so the majority of the jobs are located around there. However, they always have lots of international jobs.

Most of the jobs are startup types; there are some bigger companies listed additionally. Escape also works to match you to certain jobs, depending on how well you fill out your profile.

The post Best Resources for Scoring an International Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I was clueless about why I needed an internship to finish my professional writing degree. I mean, I got that an internship would provide a space for me to learn how to apply all the concepts, theories and practices I was learning, but what I didn’t know was how vital taking on a internship would be, not just for my field but for any and every field. More than anything, it seemed oppressively time-consuming and arbitrary to my writing degree. Though it was a required component of my degree, it was probably the most beneficial (excluding the cumulative classes that ground education).

I had no intention of behaving like some stereotypical, brainless sorority member looking for an easy internship where I could be paid to essentially act like the office Barbie. I was more honed in on scholarship and reaching my full potential as a writer and collaborator, having been a senior executive member for the campus arts and honors college journals and a member of many other clubs. I also was on the directing boards of many of these organizations. Having excelled in nearly every academic endeavor since kindergarten, I was ambitious, in light of my disinterest in an internship, recognizing that I didn’t fit the student affairs persona.

So, as an introvert without a car, I had to look on campus to find which offices and departments would be open to hosting an intern for a semester. That aspect was essentially the easiest part, because as I was very involved in campus extracurriculars and departmental student initiatives, I could just turn to a few of my favorite student affairs personnel and ask if they would permit me to join the team and help around the office for a couple months. The downside of working on campus meant that it would almost surely be unpaid, as most of the budget had already been allotted to graduate assistants and other departmental endeavors. Regardless, seeing as I had limited means to find a campus internship, I was on a mission to find one that I would enjoy and that was relevant to my degree.

I wound up in the Intercultural Affairs office (ICA), and having already attended or aided organization of ICA events, I emailed the Assistant Director of Resources about whether she could use some help on any new projects. While she tentatively agreed, she referred me to the office director for approval, and he formally interviewed me, in spite of our previous friendly cooperation throughout the prior two years of my office involvement.